Ecosomatics and connection to nature are a core pillar of my work and healing approach. Nature is a huge part of my own regulation, and I gently support my 1-1 Somatic Therapy clients to connect with it too. The beauty of ecosomatics and nature as a key support for nervous system regulation is that this practice is simple and accessible. It doesn’t need expensive wellness tools, or 10-step protocols. Read on to learn more.
Whenever I need to centre, I come back to the earth.
As someone managing complex chronic illnesses, I have a mountain of ongoing medical admin to keep up with and project manage. I also have daily fluctuating symptoms that impact my capacity. Stress can exacerbate my conditions, so it’s incredibly important for me to minimise stress where I can, and to have a clear sense of what supports me to regulate.
Through my various professional training and practice as a Trauma-informed Somatic Therapist, Reiki master and Shamanic Practitioner, I’ve learnt many techniques over the years to support myself, and my clients. One of the most simple, yet profound, and consistently effective practices that continues to be my go-to is nature connection and ecosomatics.
What is ecosomatics?
Ecosomatics is a body-based approach to healing that explores the relationship between our nervous system, our body, and the natural world around us. Put simply, it’s a practice of reconnecting with nature, which helps us to reconnect to our bodies.
The word combines “eco” (environment or ecology) and “somatics” (the experience of the body). Ecosomatics sees human bodies as being inherently a part of nature, not separate from nature. It also recognises that our wellbeing is impacted by our environment.
So we are as much a part of ecosystems and the natural world as a creature, plant, or river. Yet in modern day life, particularly in Urban areas, we are living more and more disconnected from the natural world around us. In grind culture focused on productivity, many people spend large amounts of time indoors at a desk in front of screens, with a sense of urgency and stress.
This can disconnect people from their bodies, and from the environment around them, even from the natural cycles of the seasons.
Ecosomatics is an invitation to nurture our relationship with the earth, with nature, and with our bodies. It’s a way to reconnect.
How nature supports the nervous system, earth connection and wellbeing
Research increasingly shows that spending time in nature can positively support nervous system regulation, stress reduction and overall wellbeing. A 2020 systematic review found that exposure to natural environments was associated with lower levels of both perceived stress and physiological stress responses in the body (PMID: 33066853).
Let’s look at some examples of ways we can explore this in the day-to-day.
Ecosomatics and nature connection might look like the following examples (Note for those who are unable to get outside, many of the following could be done by an open window, or adapted to be done from home):
- Feeling sunlight on skin
- Bare feet on grass
- Listening to birds or rain
- Noticing colours/ textures of nature
- Gardening
- Watching trees move in the wind
- Sitting near water
- Feeling textures with your hands such as shells, sticks, flowers
These small sensory moments can help the nervous system gently orient to the present moment. Feeling the warmth of sunlight, listening to birdsong, or noticing the movement of trees can support grounding and sensory regulation by giving the body steady things to connect with that can signal safety to the nervous system.
In ecosomatics, these small and simple moments can be understood as a form of co-regulation with our environment, where connection with the natural world helps signal the body towards calm, presence and safety. Over time, this can have a big impact!
How I weave ecosomatics and earth connection into my Somatic Therapy and Holistic Healing Sessions
Like any practice, it can be incredibly helpful to have guidance and support to build this practice into the day-to-day habits and routines. Nature connection and ecosomatics is integral to my Somatic Therapy sessions, and Holistic Healing 1-1s.
I weave nature and earth connection into sessions, always finding a way to meet you where you’re at so we can adapt the practice to be accessible to you. Somatic practices are rooted in slowing down and noticing, so we build this into every session, often finding ways to notice the natural world.
Reiki and shamanic practices have a strong connection to the elements, and to nature, which can guide us into closer conversation with our intuition. At the core, ecosomatics is about creating safety through body awareness and presence with nature.
Simple ecosomatics and nature connection practices you can try
My hope is for this blog post to inspire my readers to explore their own connection to the earth and nature. I am sure many of you have your own ways of doing this already. But with the fast pace of modern day life and it’s various stressors, it can be easy to get pulled away from our practices. So this is a gentle invitation to reconnect!
Why not try:
- 5-minute sensory grounding outside, slowing down and noticing nature around you
- Tree or sky gazing where you get comfortable and just gently watch
- Collecting natural objects that feel regulating
- Walking without headphones and listening to the birdsong
- Morning grounding with tea outside, whether it’s in a garden, a local park, or any green space that is accessible to you
- Orienting to sounds and temperature
And if you would like to reflect on all this a bit more, here are some journal prompts to support exploration of these topics:
- What places help your body soften?
- Where do you feel most connected to yourself?
- What changes when you slow down enough to notice the earth around you?
Somatic therapy and nature connection
If you’d like some support and guidance with nature based healing, ecosomatics and these kinds of grounding practices for anxiety, burnout or overwhelm then I offer Somatic Therapy 1-1s online.
My Somatic Therapy 1-1s are neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed. They will help you reconnect with your body, build resilience, and nurture your connection with nature. Join from the comfort of your home, and learn accessible techniques to support you day-to-day.
Want to learn more? Book a free discovery call here to meet me, ask questions, and see if we’re a good fit.
