A Note from OCHP Founder, Dr. Kristin Kleppe
I recently attended the American Psychiatric Convention and was surprised that many of the sessions were NOT about promoting medications for mental health, but they were about promoting options to medication. We all know that lifestyle choices such as exercise, nutrition, good sleep, stress reduction, and drinking in moderation have a positive effect on our physical health, but most people don’t realize the significance of the research linking these things to our mental health. In fact, exercise can be as effective or even more effective in treating depression than anti-depressants alone.
At the convention, I picked up a book published by the American Psychiatric Association entitled Nature Therapy. Excerpts from the book provide some interesting options for a healthier lifestyle, and we share a few with you in our blog this month. I hope you’ll explore using these options to nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Your OCHP therapist can also help you with good ideas on how to incorporate these and other types of lifestyle medicine into your daily life.
Exploring lifestyle medicine through mindful connection with nature
At Orange County Health Psychologists, we believe in whole-person wellness. More and more, research is showing that lifestyle medicine (the integration of daily habits like nutrition, exercise, sleep, social connection, and stress reduction) plays a vital role in supporting mental health. We call these essentials “The Big 5.”
But we also understand that the last thing some individuals want to hear when they come to therapy is “eat healthier” or “get more exercise.”
You don’t engage in therapy to add to your to-do list. You show up because something in your life feels heavy, stuck, or painful. If you feel depleted, overwhelmed, or disconnected, being told to simply “exercise more” may feel invalidating, even impossible. That’s why our therapeutic approach to lifestyle medicine is different. We’re not here to push or prescribe but, rather, to support and empower.
We introduce tools like nature therapy not as quick fixes, but as gentle ways to regulate your nervous system, reconnect with yourself, and make healing feel more possible. These practices aren’t about doing more, they’re about doing things differently, with intention, care, and support.
5 Nature Therapy Practices That Support Mental Health
Here are five research-backed ways that nature can help calm your mind, regulate your emotions, and reconnect you with the present moment.
1. Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)
Originating in Japan, forest bathing involves mindfully immersing yourself in a forest or wooded environment. It’s not about exercise, it’s about presence. Walking slowly, engaging the senses, and absorbing the forest atmosphere has been shown to lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and enhance immune function. And, did you know that trees emit a powerful chemical called phytoncides that is actually good for human beings? Now we know where the expression “hug a tree” comes from.
2. Mindfulness Meditation Walks
These slow, intentional walks combine movement with breath and awareness. Whether guided or solo, mindfulness walks help quiet the mind and encourage inner stillness, even if your thoughts are racing when you begin. At OCHP, we have a great tool on mindfulness meditation walks in Orange County that includes some of the locations of local nature trails where you might find the peace and tranquillity of nature, the exercise of a mild to moderate walk, and the feeling of awe that feed our spirit. The article is on our website and can be accessed at https://www.ochealthpsych.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/DIGITAL-Mindfulness-Meditation-Guide.pdf
3. Gardening for Growth
Tending to plants can be a deeply grounding, nurturing activity. It connects you to the rhythms of nature and offers a sense of control, purpose, and calm, especially valuable in times of uncertainty or emotional distress. It doesn’t matter if you are planting a large vegetable garden, some flowering containers for a patio, or a few simple houseplants. They can all feed your spirit.
4. Bird Watching and Nature Observation
Even brief moments of noticing a robin on the fence or the sound of birds in the morning can activate your parasympathetic nervous system. These practices build presence and soothe the fight-or-flight response. Bird watching can become a therapeutic hobby as well as giving you the possibility of connection and social interaction by joining a bird watching group.
5. Equine-Assisted Therapy
Working with horses fosters trust, emotional regulation, and embodied awareness. It’s a powerful modality for individuals healing from trauma, attachment wounds, autism, or those simply seeking a different path to self-discovery. Research on equine therapy for healing trauma is especially impressive. There are local stables in Orange County that offer equine therapy. If you need help, your OCHP therapist can assist you with finding the right place.
Bonus: Private Restorative Yoga with Susan Kjesbo
Orange County Health Psychologists is proud to offer private restorative yoga sessions with Susan Kjesbo, here at our Irvine office location or virtually via Zoom. These therapeutic yoga sessions provide a nurturing space to release stress, reconnect with your body, and feel supported. For those who love nature therapy or are curious about body-based healing, these one-on-one sessions are a gentle, personalized way to begin. Outdoors or indoors, Susan meets you where you’re at, no flexibility or prior experience is required.
Lifestyle Medicine Is About More Than Habits, It’s About Healing
Nature therapy and other lifestyle tools are invitations rather than obligations. They are small, manageable shifts that help support your nervous system, improve mood, and make healing more sustainable. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, or simply want to feel more grounded, Nature Therapy offers practical and peaceful tools to support your wellbeing.
Ready to take the first step? Reach out to learn more about private restorative yoga with Susan Kjesbo or ask us how to begin incorporating nature-based practices into your health care routine.
About Susan Kjesbo, C-IAYT
Certified Yoga Therapist
Susan Kjesbo is a Certified Yoga Therapist who has been teaching yoga for over 10 years. She has partnered with Orange County Health Psychologists to offer individual therapeutic yoga sessions as a supplement to traditional therapy. Susan guides students into the practice, offering variations along the way, and her sessions are slow-paced and tailored appropriately for all ages and levels of fitness.
Schedule an appointment
949.528.6300
Susan@OCHealthPsych.com