Research has shown that spending time in nature can have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Whether that’s by exploring a nearby forest or woodland, sitting by the ocean, taking a dip in a secret stream, basking in the sunshine in your local park, or tending to your house plants (and if you don’t have any, get some!)
This topic is constantly being researched, and whilst still not fully understood, evidence suggests that spending time in nature and in green spaces is incredibly beneficial to our mental and physical health. Being surrounded by nature can help us gain a sense of peace, reduces stress and anxiety, boost our mood, and increases our self-esteem. Not only does spending time in nature help to regulate our emotions and help us to feel better, but it also can strengthen our immune system, and reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and our stress hormones.
“Throughout the pandemic, nearly half (45%) of people in the UK told us that visiting green spaces, such as parks, helped them to cope” – Mental Health Foundation
The benefits of spending time in nature is often linked with how we interact with it, utilising our senses. By using mindfulness, we can make the most of our time in nature. What do you see, what can you smell, what can you feel, what can you taste? From bird song, sweet smelling flowers, feel of bark against a tree or sun on your face – we can really take our time to enjoy all that nature offers us.
Furthermore, new research suggests it’s quality that counts; taking that time to really connect with nature is crucial. This connectedness is about how we relate to nature and how we experience nature. We should try to make sure we spend regular time in nature, and ensure that the time spent, it quality time – being mindful and really noticing our surroundings and enjoying them. Plus, we can always further this connection to nature by taking time out to sit in it, write a poem, take photographs etc – we can get creative!
The Mental Health Foundation has provided two documents on ‘How connecting with nature benefits our mental health‘, and ‘Thriving with nature‘.
Take care, and enjoy your self-care Sunday!
