"It helps me to be more aware and connected to my body when I spent so many years trying to disconnect": A qualitative pilot study on the impact of time spent in nature on eating disorder recovery.

Abstract

Eating disorders have high relapse and mortality rates, complex treatment needs, and disproportionately affect women. A common characteristic of women with eating disorders is a lack of embodiment and disconnection from the body. Increasing positive embodiment may be a means to help support recovery. This study qualitatively examined the impact of time spent in nature as a potential mechanism for increasing positive embodiment during eating recovery among six women in Canada and the USA using semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis. Participants shared that spending time in nature helped them appreciate and care for their bodies and slow their eating disorder voice, providing a foundation on which to build and maintain recovery from their eating disorder. Participants also described how being in nature helped them feel connected, leading to feeling a sense of belonging and a part of something bigger than themselves. The findings from this pilot study warrant further investigation, and may have implications for eating disorder treatment for women, as spending time in nature during eating disorder recovery may help counterbalance societal pressures on women and support recovery maintenance.