The Evidence Behind My Approach

True Roots Therapy Ltd was founded  to offer a different approach to workplace wellbeing—one that combines occupational therapy, meaningful occupation and the restorative qualities of nature.

 

As a practising Occupational Therapist, I understand that health and wellbeing are influenced not only by the individual, but also by the environments we experience, the activities we engage in and the people we connect with. Every workshop is personally designed and facilitated by me, drawing on current evidence from occupational science, environmental psychology and workplace wellbeing research.

Nature supports restoration

 

Modern working life places considerable demands on attention, decision-making and emotional resources. Research suggests that spending time in natural environments can improve mood, reduce perceived stress and support psychological wellbeing (Siah et al., 2023). More recent umbrella review evidence indicates that nature-based interventions are most effective when people actively engage with nature through purposeful, structured experiences (Shrestha et al., 2025).

 

Rather than simply spending time outdoors, I guide participants through carefully designed nature-based activities that encourage sensory awareness, reflection and meaningful engagement with the environment.

 

 

Meaningful occupation promotes wellbeing

 

Occupational therapy is founded on the understanding that participation in meaningful occupation contributes to health, wellbeing and quality of life (Wilcock & Hocking, 2015).

 

Throughout each workshop, participants engage in creative, nature-based occupations that encourage curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving and reflection. The emphasis is never on artistic ability, but on the experience of participating in meaningful activity.

 

A recent systematic review found that crafts-based occupations can positively influence mental health, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and social participation, supporting the role of creative occupation in promoting wellbeing (Bukhave et al., 2025).

 

Creativity creates connection

 

Creative activity offers a different way of thinking, communicating and connecting with others.

Evidence reviewed by the World Health Organization found that engagement in arts and creative activities is associated with improved mental wellbeing, reduced stress and stronger social connection (Fancourt & Finn, 2019).

Using natural materials encourages participants to slow down, engage their senses and work collaboratively in a relaxed environment, creating opportunities for authentic conversation and shared experience.

 

Supporting healthier workplaces

Healthy workplaces recognise that employee wellbeing extends beyond stress management alone.

NICE recommends that employers adopt a whole-organisation approach to promoting mental wellbeing by supporting positive relationships, employee engagement and psychologically healthy working environments (NICE, 2022).

 

Evidence also suggests that workplace nature-based interventions can improve employee wellbeing, reduce perceived stress and support creativity and cognitive functioning (Gritzka et al., 2020; Charisi et al., 2025).

 

 

 

 

 

References:

 

Bukhave, K., Lundbye-Christensen, S., Nielsen, C. V., & Kristensen, H. K. (2025). The effects of crafts-based interventions on mental health and well-being: A systematic review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.13028

 

Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review (Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report No. 67). WHO Regional Office for Europe.

 

Gritzka, S., MacIntyre, T. E., Dörfel, D., Baker-Blanc, J. L., & Calogiuri, G. (2020). The effects of workplace nature-based interventions on the mental health and well-being of employees: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 323. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00323

 

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Mental wellbeing at work (NICE Guideline NG212). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

 

Shrestha, S., White, M. P., Bratman, G. N., et al. (2025). Factors influencing the effectiveness of nature-based interventions aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing: An umbrella review. Environment International, 196, 109231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.109231

 

Siah, C. J. R., Goh, Y. S., Lee, J., Poon, S. N., Ow Yong, J. Q. Y., & Tam, W. S. W. (2023). The effects of forest bathing on psychological well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 32(4), 1038–1054. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13131

 

Wilcock, A. A., & Hocking, C. (2015). An occupational perspective of health (3rd ed.). SLACK Incorporated.