Most of us feel the call of the wild at some point or another; its allure is the promise of escape from the pressures of modern-day life.

We live in such a fast-paced, technology-driven world that it is no wonder therapeutic groups are leveraging the benefits of Mother Nature to help nurture soft skills.

Wilderness therapy presents us with the opportunity to seek personal growth away from traditional settings.

Getting away from the hubbub of traditional settings and immersing yourself in nature is an innovative way to build resilience and work on interpersonal communication for better teamwork and self-improvement.

Wilderness Therapy Explained

Wilderness therapy combines outdoor activities with self-reflection. Programs are well-structured and therapeutically guided with the goal of helping participants develop life skills and emotional resilience.

It has really taken off in the last decade or so, and of those who have tried it as a behavioral healthcare treatment, 81% rate it as effective.

Growing Holistically

There are far fewer distractions out in the wild, providing the perfect setting to look inwardly and focus without interruptions.

In the wild program, participants are away from their comfort zones, making them far more self-aware than in a workplace or home setting.

The wilderness also presents its natural challenges when camping or hiking through it that help participants build new strengths as they problem-solve and adapt to nature's demands.

It is a great setting for developing interpersonal and leadership skills.

Authentic Self Reflection

Without societal pressures, participants are authentically themselves allowing them to truly grow.

Most participants find that the challenges that crop up mirror the ones in their daily lives but that the wild surroundings allow them to view and approach things differently than they typically would do.

Soft Skills to Develop in the Wild

There are a variety of valuable traits that we need in life that aren’t taught; we are mostly left to learn them naturally.

While people can give pointers, mastering things such as communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence or EQ need to be nurtured in real-life scenarios.

Soft Skills Table

Adaptability	Communication	Problem-solving
Creativity	Critical thinking	Leadership
Teamwork	Time management	Collaboration
Confidence	Conflict management	Persuasion
Resilience	Work ethic	Awareness
Dependability	Emotional intelligence	Organization
Accepting feedback	Active listening	Body language
Cooperation	Empathy	Friendliness

All of the above soft skills can be learned very effectively through wilderness therapy. Let’s look at a few in detail.

Teamwork and Communication Skills

Surviving in the wilderness presents many opportunities to practice effective teamwork and communication. Navigating setting up and maintaining a camp area is a collaborative effort that requires everybody's input and clear communication.

The shared tasks that come with wilderness therapy bring groups together and build trust, teaching respect and active listening skills.

Adaptability and Resilience Skills

In life when we are faced with uncertainty it can cause panic or a reactive response fraught and filled with emotion because we aren’t accustomed to dealing with the unexpected.

In the wilderness, predictability goes out of the window, providing ample opportunities to face the unexpected head-on.

By overcoming the challenges the landscape throws your way, you learn how to adapt, it requires creative and critical thinking skills and teaches how to stay calm under pressure like nothing else.

All of these skills are invaluable when transferred to personal and professional life.

Self-Awareness and EQ Skills

There is nothing like a bit of solitude to make you introspective. In nature, you are more aware and present this fosters reflection.

Wilderness therapy participants will be more aware of their emotional state and notice their triggers.

This awareness extends to interpersonal dynamics, forcing individuals to consider a variety of perspectives and creating a better understanding of oneself and others.

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Wilderness Therapy Findings

John Muir famously said, “Come to the woods for here is rest." while this sort of quote seems whimsical the benefits of wilderness therapy are not just anecdotal.

Scientific research studies on wilderness therapy highlight many benefits, such as its effectiveness in stress reduction, improvement of social skills, and boost of self-esteem.

Cognitive and Emotional Benefits of Nature

Nature has profound effects on the brain. Research shows that spending time outdoors improves focus, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Activities like hiking or rock climbing engage the body and mind, fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting mental clarity.

Group Dynamic Benefits

Studies suggest that group wilderness therapy activities have the most profound effect on group dynamics.

As groups overcome obstacles as a unit, they unify and bond. Mutual respect grows, and relationships deepen as everyone feels a sense of belonging. The therapy has many benefits for a diverse range of participants; below are some key benefits for certain demographics:

• Corporate Teams: Wilderness therapy helps teams become more cohesive as they problem-solve and navigate together; workplace hierarchies dissolve as everyone needs to collaborate effectively. It improves conflict resolution and fosters camaraderie.

• Veterans: Wilderness therapy can help alleviate PTSD symptoms in Veterans through outdoor activities. Group experiences provide support, lower feelings of isolation, and improve depression, helping them heal and reconnect with the world.

• Families: The teamwork activities provided by the wilderness setting allow families to strengthen their bonds as they navigate challenges with patience, active listening, and clear communication. Getting away from the family home and into a natural setting often makes them more naturally open and honest conversation flow improving family dynamics.

• Individuals with Mental Health Challenges: Those who have individual challenges such as Anxiety or ADHD find wilderness therapy helps them to reflect, focus, and build resilience; the therapeutic guidance gives them effective coping mechanisms to self-regulate, and the unpredictable challenges give them ample opportunities to hone the skills.

• Different Age Groups and Cultures: Programs can be tailored for teens with solo activities that build confidence whereas adult therapy can be far more self-reflective. Tailoring for cultures is also often practiced with some wilderness therapies integrating indigenous practices, such as storytelling ceremonies to deepen the healing process and meet diverse needs.

Where Technology Meets the Wilderness

Wilderness therapy is about digital disconnection to an extent while group connection is encouraged but, in balance, these tools can enhance the experience without defeating its purpose.

Connection vs. Detachment

Globally, we average a minimum of 4 hours of daily mobile use, so for most of us, a digital detox is much needed.

Wilderness therapy encourages us to unplug and reconnect with ourselves and nature but being able to mindfully document your transformative moments can enrich the experience.

Keeping Safely Connected

Many wilderness therapy retreats are remote but typically guides will use GPS and, given the uncertainty, it is never a bad idea to have a mobile on hand for communication in emergencies.

If you want to access online resources but keep your privacy then the Surfshark VPN app can be invaluable, adding safety even in secluded locations.

From the Wilderness and Beyond

Wilderness therapy often leaves a lasting impression, the skills learned hit hard because of the reality of the situation. Most participants take them home finding they make a lasting impact on their personal and professional lives.

Wilderness Soft Skill Application

Wilderness therapy encourages many soft skills that are the foundation of effective teamwork. These skills can be applied to the workplace or family life making communication clearer and collaboration better.

It also hands participants the ultimate lesson in resilience, if you have the ability to stay calm under the pressure of survival in the wild then handling a high-stress situation at home or work will seem like a walk in the park.

A Lifelong Connection with the Wild

Many participants report a deeper connection with the wild after their therapy experiences. The new-found appreciation lingers and, for some, becomes a lifelong source of inspiration that even causes many to consider how they live and their impact on the planet.

Conclusion

Personal growth requires real-life opportunities; immersing yourself in the challenges presented by wilderness therapy is a surefire way to develop a range of skills on the fly.

While away from the pressures of your regular life settings, the survival instincts kick in and you're stripped back to basics giving you no choice but to present yourself authentically.

When you are genuine, your soft skills truly grow. Wilderness therapy can improve communication, resilience, and self-awareness for individuals, as well as improve teamwork and EQ for groups, making it a transformative experience.

Aside from that, nature can also be a very healing environment for the mind, so it really is a win-win situation. I’ll leave you with the wisdom of Richard Louv on the subject:

“The greener the setting, the more the relief.” - Richard Louv

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