Studies have shown that engaging in activities outdoors can enrich and enhance mental and physical health (Anderson & Heyne, 2012, p. 326). It’s more than just fresh air, it’s an opportunity to challenge oneself and build confidence, to connect with others and relax, and to enjoy the beauty of nature while benefitting from exercise, learning new skills, and embracing all that the outdoors have to offer. (Song et al., 2016) Recovery, rehabilitation, and recreation are personal, as is one’s experience in nature. Walking, ‘Bathing’, biking, travelling from tree to tree....life is an adventure. Therapeutic use of the outdoors can be an inclusive, cost effective, and dynamic activity!

Mood walks is a program from CAMH which provides training and support for community health organizations to promote physical and mental health for older adults who experience mental health issues. Below is a video about the program. (www.moodwalks.ca)

Forest bathing or forest therapy has been growing in popularity in recent years due to its incredible mental and physical benefits. The act of forest bathing involves taking the forest in through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch (Han et al., 2016). Research has shown that forest bathing has the ability to decrease pain, depression, stress, blood pressure, and heart rates (Han et al., 2016). On top of these benefits, forest bathing also improves attention, memory, and overall well-being, as well as promoting an active and healthy lifestyle (Hansen et al., 2017, p. 1).

All February is TR Awareness Month and it all about learning and trying new things. And what better way to do this than through adventure. But what is Adventure Therapy? Adventure therapy can be defined as “a treatment intervention in Recreational Therapy (RT) that has the capacity to produce a variety of physical, psychological, cognitive, and social outcomes” (Cordle et al., 2016, p. 75). So, what activities count as adventure therapy and how can I do them? According to Datillo (as cited in Cari, 2001, p. 290) adventure therapy can occur in either the wilderness or even in facilities like a gym. Examples of common activities include hiking, indoor or outdoor rock climbing, biking, canoeing, skiing, and many more. Have a look down below at one of the coolest adventure therapy activities.

The graph above is a learning curve created by Yerkes-Dodson called Yerkes-Dodson law. It is saying that learning and change occurs when we are challenged in an activity. We cannot be bored or to scared in order to obtain optimal learning. Diamond et al. (2007) highlights this best when explaining Yerkes-Dodson law saying “Strong emotionality can enhance performance under ‘simple’ learning conditions, such as when learning involves focused attention on a restricted range of cues” (p.3). Adventure therapy promotes this type of learning because it can be challenging at times but it can also make us learn more about ourselves. Ropes courses are one of the activities that provides the opportunity for change and learning because it pushes you outside your comfort zone.

A fun and challenging activity in adventure therapy is high/low ropes which can also be called challenge courses. There have been may studies that have shown the benefits of this activity. It was shown in a study by Cordle et al. (2016) that ropes challenge courses helped in the development of self-efficacy (p. 75). It is also an excellent way to increase trust in others and in yourself, empowerment, teamwork, and recognize personal values which was observed in Cari et al. (2001, p. 297) research. You won't know until you try it. Have a look at this video to how it could impact your life.

Email: hamilton@treetoptrekking.com
Website: https://treetoptrekking.com/park/hamilton/
Location: 5050 Harrison Rd, Binbrook, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 289-286-1016
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treetoptrekking/?ref=page_internal

Challenge courses and other adventure therapy activities can be enjoyed at many Ontario camps. Check out the link below for where you would like to experience an adventure at the Ontario Camping Association.

Adventure Therapy. (2021). The Word Search. https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/1862253/adventure-therapy/downloadable/

Anderson, L., & Heyne, L. (2012). Building spiritual strengths and resources. In Therapeutic Recreation Practice A Strengths Approach (1st ed., pp. 324–326). Venture Publishing, Inc.

Bissoux, B. (2018). Forest Bathing [Photograph]. https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2018/09/what-is-forest-bathing-and-can-it-really-help-heal-us/

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2018). MoodWalks Ontario. MoodWalks.Ca. https://youtu.be/bEh8_R60RpU

Cari, E. A. (2001). Adventure therapy with girls at-risk: Responses to outdoor experiential

activities. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 35(4), 289. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/adventure-therapy-with-girls-at-risk-responses/docview/218648438/se-2?accountid=39951

Cordle, J., Van Puymbroeck, M., Hawkins, B., & Baldwin, E. (2016). The effects of utilizing

high element ropes courses as a treatment intervention on self-efficacy. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 50(1), 75-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2016-V50-I1-6439

Das, K. (2020). Forest Bathing [Photograph]. https://sivanandayogafarm.org/what-is-forest-bathing/

Datillo, 1 (2000). Facilitation techniques in therapeutic recreation. State College, PA: Venture

Publishing.

Diamond, D. M., Campbell, A. M., Park, C. R., Halonen, J., & Zoladz, P. R. (2007). The temporal

dynamics model of emotional memory processing: a synthesis on the neurobiological basis of stress-induced amnesia, flashbulb and traumatic memories, and the Yerkes-Dodson law. Neural Plasticity, 2007, 60803. https://doi.org/10.1155/2007/60803

Fishwick, S. (2019). Forest Bathing [Photograph]. https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/forest-bathing-the-natural-way-to-solve-city-stress-a4169321.html

Forest Bathing International. (2020). Forest Bathing Podcast. http://www.forestbathinginternational.org/podcast.html#

Han, J.-W., Choi, H., Jeon, Y.-H., Yoon, C.-H., Woo, J.-M., & Kim, W. (2016). The effects of forest therapy on coping with chronic widespread pain: Physiological and psychological pifferences between participants in a forest therapy program and a control group. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(3), 255. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030255

Hansen, M. M., Jones, R., & Tocchini, K. (2017). Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) and nature therapy: A state-of-the-art review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8), 1–48. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14080851

Healing Forest. (2020a). Forest Bathing – What, How, Where? A Beginner’s Guide. https://healingforest.org/2020/01/27/forest-bathing-guide/

Healing Forest. (2020b, January 13). Forest Bathing - What, How, Why? | Introduction to Japanese Shinrin-Yoku [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSvvhLvFrVE&feature=emb_logo

[High Ropes Course]. (2020). Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureworksAssoc/photos

Home. (2020, December 3). Ontario Camps Association.

https://www.ontariocampsassociation.ca

[Inclusion High Ropes Course]. (2020). Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureworksAssoc/photos

[Inclusion Rock Climbing]. (2020). Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureworksAssoc/photos

[Low Ropes Course]. (2020). Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureworksAssoc/photos

Nature and Forest Therapy. (2020). Virtual Forest Therapy Walks. https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/virtual-forest-therapy-walks

Roe, J. (2010). The restorative benefits of walking in urban and rural settings in adults with good and poor mental health. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21094074/

Song, C., Ikei, H., & Miyazaki, Y. (2016). Physiological effects of nature therapy: A review of the research in Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(8), 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13080781

Treetop Trekking. (n.d.). Hamilton. https://treetoptrekking.com/park/hamilton/

VA’s Recreation Therapy Program. (2019, July 1). [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2YWra0Cug&list=PL1VNhCpXErQr3mPYaGVfJV8ppqVbT4gHW&index=2

West, M. G. (2000). Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide for Healing and Spiritual Growth (Illustrated ed.). Harmony. https://archive.org/details/exploringlabyrin0000west

Yerkes-Dodson Law (YDL). (n.d.). [Photograph]. Sharp Brains.

https://sharpbrains.com/blog/2017/04/17/i-am-excited-making-stress-work-for-you-instead-of-against-you/