According to the World Health Organisation, the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased by 25% globally since the COVID-19 pandemic; a shocking statistic. With mental health services overwhelmed, how can we help ourselves to keep a healthy mind?
The good news is there’s a simple solution that’s readily available to all of us, and it’s free – Nature!
Over the last 10 years there’s been an increasing body of research into the healing effects of nature on our physical and mental wellbeing. The mental health charity, Mind, has developed their ‘Ecominds’ initiative which supports people to be more active outdoors; their ‘Feel Better Outside, Feel Better Inside’ report stated that 7 in 10 people reported that their mental wellbeing significantly increased by the time they left the project.
The human innate affinity with nature has been long recognised by scientists and researchers across the world. This connection with nature is commonly phrased as ‘biophilia’ which originates from the Greek word ‘philia’ meaning ‘love of’, and ‘bio’ meaning living and natural things. This love of nature is thought to be imprinted within our DNA forming a natural motivator to thrive as a species who are able to locate the most fertile and viable land to grow food and support the development of new life.
Some of the research around our relationship with the natural world has demonstrated that when invited to construct a calm and safe space in our imagination, over 90% of us would think of a natural setting such as a beach, a lake, a stream, or a forest. Where would you construct in your mind when you think of a place that feels safest? Would it include the natural world?
Many of our team love the outdoors and have always found being in nature calming and grounding. Walking, sitting outside watching the sun set, or wild swimming outdoors is the time we feel most connected to ourselves and the world around us; it gives us the space to reflect and awaken our sense when we are walking the fells or in the woods. We are proud that we have several wild water swimmers to our number!
With so much researched evidence and lived experience about the benefits of nature, why do so many of us choose to stay indoors and surf our screens, rather than prioritise our wellbeing and get outside?
Here are some simple steps you can take to enjoy the healing power of nature:
Whether it’s through imagery on the walls or a vase of fresh flowers, there are many simple ways you can introduce nature into your home or office that will have positive effects on everyone. Botanical interior is currently ‘in vogue’ and appears in every interior designer’s toolkit. It seems we can’t help ourselves but introduce nature to the inside as so much décor on the shop floor currently and throughout time has been based around designs of the natural world.
Even in our major cities, there are now plenty of green spaces to enjoy within a few minutes of your home or office. With many of us now working from home, it’s even more important we take a break from work and get outside. Stop to enjoy your surroundings with a picnic and some mindful eating or reading a good old-fashioned book! A digital detox while outdoors will most likely improve your mental wellbeing. And don’t be afraid of the approaching winter; while it may seem so much easier to sit outside when it’s warm and sunny, we know that getting out even in the coldest of weathers can be hugely beneficial to our mental health. You won’t regret investing in clothing for every weather so you can get out and about as we know this can also help us feel better about being inside. A cold walk in the winter can make being inside snuggled next to a crackling fire feel all the cosier!
There’s plenty you can do to have fun and play with nature: photography, painting and drawing, flower pressing, wreath-making, ceramics, sculpture, stone painting, poetry and journaling are just a few of the ways you can get creative with natural things. If you don’t fancy doing this yourself, why not visit a nature photography or art exhibition, or visit a sculpture park. There are several great books on how to engage with nature, one called ‘365 Nature: Projects to Connect with Nature Every Day’ that will give you a whole year’s worth of ideas to try!
During the global pandemic in 2020, there was a huge surge in the number of people buying pets. There are many health benefits to getting a dog, other than the fact that they give you a reason to get up and out into nature. They improve heart health, help stave of stress and depression, increase your overall immunity, and encourage you to be fitter and more active. If you haven’t got your own, why not borrow one. Organisations like borrowmydoggy.com give dog owners who are going away the option of handing their precious pooch over to fellow dog lovers who may not have their own dogs, for them to look after.
There are many more ways you can introduce nature and the healing effects is has into your life. Make a promise to yourself to try just one of these ideas. When you take the time to develop your own relationship with nature, the benefits are not just for your own wellbeing, but in preserving the natural wonders of this world for generations to come.
Our team at Serendipity Psychology are passionate about strengthening our clients’ connections to the natural world in all our work as we believe this is part of the journey towards enhancing your mental wellbeing. We are even in the process of developing a sensory garden available to our clients to visit. If you would like to find out more about any of the therapeutic services we offer, or booking in to visit our garden next year, please get in touch.
Author: Rachel Hewitt-Hall, Counsellor & Psychotherapist
Co-authored by: Dr Lauren Sayers, Clinical Psychologist & Director
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