Exploring Resilience and Self-Care: An Autoethnographic Journey Through Ecotherapy and Emergency Service Work
摘要
This chapter presents an autoethnographic exploration of the interplay between resilience, self-care and ecotherapy in the context of emergency service work. The author, an Australian paramedic, migrant and mother, reflects on personal and professional experiences, blending them with contemporary research to question the adequacy of resilience in coping with traumatic stress. The narrative highlights how self-care, particularly through ecotherapy, becomes indispensable for sustaining mental, emotional and physical well-being. By integrating practices such as running in nature and ‘walk and talk’ therapy, the chapter uncovers the therapeutic potential of nature-based interventions for emergency workers and therapists alike. The author hypothesises that ecotherapy strategies, including green exercise, can enhance the well-being of both practitioners and clients by fostering holistic mental health benefits. Moreover, the chapter addresses the limitations of traditional resilience frameworks and advocates for a more integrative approach, drawing from ecotherapy to bolster coping strategies for those in high-stress professions.