Reflection on "Sustainable Wellness Through Nature"

 “TEDx Talk on Sustainable Wellness Through Nature”    

As someone who has always enjoyed spending time outdoors, I was so excited to learn about how we, as future Occupational Therapists, can use nature as a way to promote occupation. In the video, Jillian Clancy talks about how her own personal experiences have led her to become an Occupational Therapist and how she has intertwined her love for nature into her work. She believes that through outdoor activity, children are able to improve on many valuable skills such as coordination, strength, communication, creativity, and so much more (TEDx Talks, 2023). Clancy talks about how these skills developed by outdoor play can lead to overall wellness and increased quality of life.  

        

In the talk, she challenges listeners to think of their own “sacred space in nature” and all the sights, sounds, and emotions that come along with it. Through this activity, I was reminded of my love for nature, and how throughout my life I have centered so many of my own special rituals and occupations around the outdoors. I plan to use the information I have learned in my future clinical practice by implementing the many different aspects of our outside environment in a way that promotes cognitive, social, and motor skills in clients. I believe that especially in our region, developing treatment plans that include the use of outdoor therapy will be a way to truly engage my future clients in treatment. In west Tennessee, almost everyone loves spending time outside; rather this be hiking, hunting, yard work, or playing football. While all of these activities can be used in OT treatment, most people just think of OT as something that occurs in hospitals or rehab centers. I believe that the use of treatment focused on being outdoors will be a way to change the stigma around OT practice and promote growth within the field.  

TEDx Talks. 2023. "Sustainable Wellness Through Nature". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GnM9a8HMeg