Nature and Lifestyle Psychiatry
Spending time in Nature is one of the facets of Lifestyle Psychiatry. This is useful for both the individual and the family member who is living with a diagnosis of SchizoPhrenia and possible substance use issues. The phrase “touch grass” has evolved into a popular internet meme, often wielded as a playful or sarcastic retort. At its core, it serves as a modern admonition for individuals to disconnect from the virtual world and re-engage with the physical, real one. This may also help with what mental health professionals call “reality testing.” That is the function of distracting the person living with chronic psychosis to bring the main part of their focus and awareness on the “real world” lived in by the rest of us.
Cultural Commentary and Digital Balance
This two-word phrase encapsulates a broader cultural commentary on the digital age’s hold over our daily lives, where screens often dominate our attention from the moment we wake to when we retire for the night. For the parents, the caregivers, this activity is part of their own self-care. Originally, “touch grass” might have simply encouraged people to go outside, to literally feel the grass under their feet, and by extension, to reconnect with nature. For the person with chronic positive symptoms such as “hallucinations” or “delusions” getting out in Nature, a local park, a lakeside, or just a walk in the neighborhood, can be healing.
Scientific Support for Time in Nature
Interestingly, this meme does more than just chide; it reflects a growing awareness and concern about the balance between our digital and physical lives. It underscores the importance of nature, outdoor activity, and real-world interactions for mental and physical health. Studies have shown that time spent in nature can reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve overall well-being, making the underlying advice of “touch grass” not only culturally poignant but also scientifically sound. Medical and biology researchers note that the classical Japanese practice of “forest bathing,” that is walking among trees, enhances one’s immune function.
A Call to Action for Families
In essence, “touch grass” is a call to action—a reminder that, amidst our sometimes hectic days there is profound joy in experiencing the world directly. Spending family time together in nature enhances care and rapport in the family living with SchizoPhrenia and even with co-occurring SUD, substance use disorder, behaviors.
