A study from George Mason University highlights the therapeutic benefits of combining music and nature-based treatments for mental health, paving the way for innovative, low-cost and accessible therapeutic options.
A new study has confirmed that the combined use of music and nature-based therapies can significantly enhance mental, emotional and physical health. This innovative approach could offer a novel, accessible alternative to traditional therapies.
Led by Michelle Hand, a licensed clinical social worker and holistic-therapy researcher at George Mason University, the study presents compelling evidence supporting the use of multi-sensory experiences to promote well-being.
“The combined therapeutic use of music and nature facilitates self-expression, which can improve mood and emotional well-being, with potential to simultaneously decrease anxiety, stress, and symptoms of depression, all of which can impact various aspects of daily life, health and wellness,” Hand, an assistant professor of social work in George Mason’s College of Public Health (CPH), said in a news release.
Hand’s research, undertaken with gerontology research specialist Emily Ihara and social work alumni Morgan Moore and Madison Shaw, reviewed 884 scholarly articles on the combined use of music and nature in therapeutic settings, focusing on eight peer-reviewed studies that met stringent criteria. These studies included activities such as animal care, gardening, and outdoor singing and dancing.
This focus on music and nature is distinct from previous research that explored these elements separately. The integration of these activities provides an all-encompassing sensory experience that helps anchor individuals in the present moment, offering flexibility and choice that traditional therapies often lack.
“Music- and nature-based strategies can offer adaptable low-cost, multi-sensory approaches for people of all ages, those living with disabilities, veterans and non-veterans, individuals who have experienced trauma, as well as for older adults living with dementia,” Hand added.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, the study emphasizes that such holistic approaches are not only effective but also scalable and cost-effective. This is particularly significant given the increasing mental health challenges exacerbated by the modern lifestyle.
The research underscores the importance of sensory experiences found in the natural environment, aligning with the meme-turned-movement phrase “touch grass,” which humorously encourages people to spend more time outdoors.
Source: George Mason University