The sea spray of poets
The sea spray of poets, association 1901 and place name
Social mission :
Helping 13-25 year olds to overcome their eco-anxiety and all their eco-emotions through ecotherapy practices, so they can regain confidence in a desirable, sustainable,
and inclusive future
The notion of eco-anxiety was conceptualized in 1997 by public health physician and researcher V. Lapaige.
It can be defined as a form of anxiety, apprehension and stress linked to climate change and observed or anticipated threats to ecosystems.
In people who have not personally suffered direct impacts, it is also perceived as a form of "pre-traumatic" stress triggered by a projection towards the future, linked to ecological awareness (Van Susteren, 2016).
What is therefore new is not the feeling itself, but the cause which generates it (Schmerber, 2022) and which reactivates the anxiety of finitude, for oneself and for humanity (Sutter, 2020).
More than one in two French people aged 16 to 25 say they are “very” or
"extremely concerned" about climate change, according to Lancet Planetary Health study.
This eco-anxiety also affects their daily lives: 35% of them say that it has a negative impact on their way of life and 74% say they are pessimistic about climate change.
Thus, the conclusions of the report of the High Council for Family, Children and Age (HCFEA) entitled "When children are doing badly: how can we help them?" are alarming.
While the issue of children's mental health, in France and internationally, is considered the number one public health problem, the HCFEA study, conducted between 2014 and 2021, warns of the overconsumption of psychotropic drugs among children and adolescents.
These few figures on the evolution of the consumption of psychotropic drugs between 2014 and 2021 among children and adolescents are edifying:
+ 155.5% for hypnotics;
+ 78.1% for psychostimulants;
+ 62.6% for antidepressants;
+48.5% for antipsychotics.
For the year 2023, the increase in the prescription of hypnotics is 226%.
Ecotherapy offers a solid alternative to over-medicalization through its different practices.
WHAT IS ECOPSYCHOLOGY?
Carl Jung is often considered the grandfather of ecopsychology: "Western man is torn from his natural history and cut off from his unconscious affective participation in natural phenomena."
The paternity of the word ecopsychology is attributed to the historian of industrial society Theodore Roszak.
Born in the 1990s, ecopsychology studies how reconnecting with nature improves mental and emotional health.
We can summarize ecopsychology in three propositions:
- There is an ontological link (anchored in the depths of being) between human beings and nature,
- Forgetting, ignoring or destroying this link leads to suffering and imbalances for human beings (alienation, malaise, anxiety, etc.)
- Deeply restoring the connection between humans and nature is one of the keys to the health and well-being of humans and the earth.
WHAT IS ECOTHERAPY?
Ecotherapy is a relatively young practice and not yet very widespread in French-speaking countries.
It is an approach to psychological and psychosomatic care whose specificity is to be practiced in interaction with nature; it includes work with the body and the five senses.
In France, in 2017, 80% of the population lived in urban areas. This increase in time spent indoors, associated with the increase in the number of people living in these industrialized environments is often correlated with an increase in psychological disorders such as stress, depression, eco-anxiety.
Among adolescents, participation in wilderness therapy has been shown to improve health indicators (Hoag MJ Combs: "Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs").
Here are the different ecotherapy practices offered by Les Embruns des Poètes:
The Work That
Reconnects
Johanna Macy
“The Work That Reconnects” is an approach developed by ecopsychologist Joanna Macy.
It is a participatory process designed to help individuals and groups address the global ecological and social crisis while cultivating their resilience, hope and commitment to a sustainable future.
The objectives of Work That Connects :
- Release emotions often repressed in the face of global crises,
- Encourage an ecological and collective vision of life,
- Inspire actions for sustainable change, respecting the environment and communities,
- Strengthen emotional resilience in the face of personal and global challenges.
The principles of Work That Connects :
- Interconnectedness: Recognizing that all living beings are interdependent and experiencing this deep connection.
- Healing separation: Working on the feeling of disconnection between humans and the Earth, often at the root of the ecological crisis.
- Facing Pain for the World: Helping participants recognize, express, and transform their pain, anger, or sadness about the state of the planet, without becoming overwhelmed.
- Awaken a sense of active hope: Transform passivity or despair into concrete actions motivated by values of compassion and justice.
The stages of the Work That Connects :
- Ground yourself in gratitude: Start by cultivating a sense of gratitude for life, which helps expand your mind and open your heart.
- Honor your pain for the world: Recognize difficult emotions (sadness, anger, despair) linked to the state of the planet, to transform them into constructive energy.
- Change perspective: Develop a broader vision of our place in the world, adopting ecological awareness and an understanding of interdependence.
- Take action: Translate emotions and awareness into concrete actions to contribute to positive change in the world.
The Work that Reconnects integrates group exercises, guided meditations, rituals, discussions and creative explorations and helps individuals reclaim their power to act, cultivate their connection to the Earth and transform their pain into a positive force to co-create a more just and sustainable world.
5 days and 4 nights all inclusive: 100 euros + free and conscious participation
Permaculture and
Food forest
Come and get your hands dirty and help with the growing.
You will leave with flowers and vegetables
PERMACULTURE is a contraction of "permanent agriculture", a term developed in the 1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. It is based on thoughtful planning and on mimicking the cycles and patterns found in nature. It seeks to minimize waste, maximize efficiency and promote resilience .
The ethics of permaculture :
- Caring for the Earth: Protecting and regenerating soils, water, forests, and biodiversity.
- Caring for human beings: Meeting basic needs (food, shelter, community) in a respectful and equitable manner.
- Redistribute equitably: Share surpluses, reduce excessive consumption, and invest in sustainable systems.
The Benefits of Permaculture :
- Reduction of the ecological footprint.
- Preservation and regeneration of ecosystems.
- Resilience to environmental and social crises.
- Food and energy autonomy.
- Creation of supportive communities.
A FOOD FOREST (or edible forest) is a cultivated ecosystem inspired by natural forests, designed to produce food, materials and other resources while promoting biodiversity and ecological sustainability.
It is based on the principles of permaculture and mimics the structure of a forest, with different layers of interconnected plants.
It is a model of sustainable agriculture that draws on the wisdom of nature to create rich, self-sustaining and environmentally friendly food systems.
It embodies a vision of harmony between human needs and those of the ecosystem.
Dance of the
5 Rhythms
Walk & Talk
THE DANCE OF THE FIVE RHYTHMS is a free and intuitive dance practice. It is based on the idea that everything in life is energy in motion, and that this energy is expressed in the form of five universal rhythms.
These rhythms, danced in sequence, allow you to explore and free the body, mind and emotions, while cultivating full presence.
Benefits of the 5 Rhythms Dance :
- Emotional release: Helps to express and release blocked emotions,
- Stress reduction: By promoting total letting go, the practice soothes the mind and reduces tension,
- Connection to oneself: Encourages listening to the body, its sensations and its needs,
- Creativity and expression: Stimulates the imagination and frees personal expression,
- Physical well-being: Improves flexibility, balance, and body awareness,
- Can awaken deep introspection and a sense of unity.
WALK & TALK ECOTHERAPY is an innovative therapeutic approach that combines the benefits of movement, contact with nature and the therapeutic relationship. It promotes overall well-being by integrating the physical, emotional and environmental dimensions, in a soothing and inspiring setting.
Objectives and benefits :
- Stress and anxiety reduction: Walking in nature reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and helps calm the mind,
- Mental and emotional stimulation: Movement promotes blood circulation and releases endorphins, which improve mood and mental clarity, and being outdoors can inspire deeper thoughts and a renewed perspective,
- Physical and emotional unblocking: walking stimulates the body and can also help release buried emotions or blockages. Moving often facilitates better fluidity in dialogue,
- Support for self-regulation: being in contact with nature encourages a return to calm and better management of emotions,
- Strengthening the connection with nature: Walk and Talk ecotherapy encourages ecological awareness, highlighting the importance of our connection with the Earth and its benefits for well-being.
Mindfulness Meditation
and yoga
in the open air
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION is the practice of intentionally paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It is inspired by Buddhist traditions, but it has been widely popularized in the West in a secular setting, notably by physician Jon Kabat-Zinn, through his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program.
Benefits of mindfulness meditation :
- Stress reduction: Helps to better manage stressful situations by bringing attention back to the present moment.
- Improved concentration: Trains the mind to be less distracted and more focused.
- Emotion regulation: Promotes better management of emotions, such as anxiety or anger.
- Increased general well-being: Encourages a more caring relationship with oneself and others.
- Improved physical health: Can reduce blood pressure, improve sleep and strengthen the immune system.
YOGA is a practice that brings both physical and mental benefits, and that adapts to the needs and abilities of each individual. It is a universal discipline that can enrich daily life by promoting better health and overall well-being.
Benefits of yoga :
Physics
- Improves flexibility, strength and balance.
- Relieves muscle tension and chronic pain.
- Stimulates blood circulation and strengthens the immune system.
Mentals
- Reduces stress and anxiety.
- Improves concentration and mental clarity.
- Promotes relaxation and better sleep.
Emotional and spiritual
- Strengthens the connection with oneself and the present moment.
- Promotes a feeling of inner peace and well-being.
- Encourages awareness and personal development.
Sail for 6 days on a sailboat
Sailing offers a multitude of physical, mental, emotional and even social benefits. Sailing involves working in harmony with the natural elements, which stimulates both the body and mind, while strengthening the connection to nature and oneself.
Mental benefits :
- Stress reduction: Being on the water, surrounded by seascapes and the soothing sound of the waves, helps release tension and promotes relaxation,
- Focus and mental clarity: Sailing requires constant vigilance and attention to detail, which enhances presence and mindfulness,
- Improved decision-making: Dealing with unexpected events (changing winds, unpredictable weather) leads to rapid analysis and decision-making skills,
- Sense of accomplishment: Mastering a sailboat, even in complex conditions, gives great personal satisfaction and builds self-confidence,
Emotional benefits :
- Connection to nature: Being at sea fosters a sense of humility in the face of the power of the elements and a deep reconnection to the natural environment,
- Serenity and active meditation: Sailing can have a meditative effect, thanks to the repetition of gestures and direct contact with the wind and water,
- Emotional management: Sailing teaches you to stay calm in stressful or unforeseen situations, while developing patience.
Social benefits :
- Teamwork: Sailing as a crew requires perfect coordination, which strengthens communication, cooperation and team spirit.
- Sharing experiences: The moments spent on a boat create unique memories and strong bonds between participants.
- Learning and transmission: Sailing encourages continuous learning, often in an intergenerational or community setting.
Young social entrepreneurs, are you haunted by eco-anxiety and all the solastalgia?
Avoid burnout and come find peace at Embruns des Poètes.
Room rental with office in full board
20 euros/day
Hosting green and health seminars
1 week per month in winter
8 meter diameter heated yurt
Library
CG Jung: My Life (1973), The Earth Has a Soul (2002)
Frédéric Lenoir: Jung, a journey towards oneself (2021)
Johanna Macy and Molly Brown: Practical Ecopsychology and Rituals for the Earth: Coming Back to Life (2021)
Michel Maxime Egger: Ecopsychology (2017)
Theodore Roszak, Mary Gomes, Allen Kanner: Ecopsychology, the care of the soul and the earth (1995)
Andy Fisher: Radical Ecopsychology, Psychology in the Service of Life (2013)
Egide Altenloh: 50 Ecotherapy Exercises (2021)
Linda Buzzell and Graig Chalquist, Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind (2009)
Martin Jordan and Joe Hinds: Ecotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice (2016)
Philippe J. Dubois: Ecological Grief, A Short Treatise on Solastalgia (2021)
Glenn Albrecht: The Emotions of Earth (2019)
Jeanine M. Canty: Returning The Self to Nature (2022)
Mary-Jayne Rust and Nick Cotton: Vital Signs, Psychological Responses to Ecological Crisis (2012)
Alice Nelson: A Nature-based Approach to Managing group Dynamics with Children and Teens (2024)