Stimulating the senses soothes the mind, research confirms

While the expression “touch grass” is most often used as a meme to teasingly tell fellow internet users to log off and venture outside, there is research-backed evidence that reconnecting with sensory experiences only found in the physical world is highly beneficial for overall well-being.

Michelle Hand, a licensed clinical social worker and holistic-therapy researcher, compiled data affirming that music and nature-based therapy can improve emotional, mental, and physical health outcomes.

The reason? Unlike more traditional therapies, music and nature-based treatment prioritize multi-sensory experiences (e.g., potentially integrating sounds, sights, smells, and touch stimuli that anchor people in the present moment) as well as choice and flexibility.

“Integrating music and nature: a scoping review of research on interventions involving both music- and nature-based strategies for mental health and wellbeing” was published in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience.

“The combined therapeutic use of music and nature facilitates self-expression, which can improve mood and emotional well-being, with the potential to simultaneously decrease anxiety, stress, and symptoms of depression, all of which can impact various aspects of daily life, health and wellness,” said Hand, an assistant professor of social work in George Mason University’s College of Public Health (CPH).

Previous studies examined music and nature separately, but this review explored different studies with the simultaneous use of both elements. Hand, along with gerontology research specialist Emily Ihara, and George Mason social work alumni Morgan Moore and Madison Shaw, identified 884 scholarly articles across six databases relating to the combined therapeutic use of music and nature.

Of these, eight peer-reviewed articles met their search criteria. For example, articles featured activities where participants could choose to care for animals, tend to gardens, and sing and dance outdoors. Hand’s conclusions present the limitless possibilities for tailored non-medication mental health treatments.

“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 said.

So, while “touch grass” may have begun as a social media jest, it is actually pretty sound advice.