Connecting With Nature

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Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 10-16 May 2021. The theme this year is Connecting With Nature. Depression rates have soared during the pandemic. Around 1 in 5 employees have experienced some form of depression, with rates among adults more than double the pre-pandemic levels. During the long months of lockdown, nature has been more important than ever to our collective mental wellbeing. Just under half of people report that being in green space was vital to their mental health during this time.

Being outside surrounded by the natural environment tops my list of happy places. The open air, flora, and fauna, touch my soul in myriad ways. Whatever the season, there is always something which stirs the primordial connection we each have with our home planet. Nature provides both grounding experience, and spiritual communion. There is no discrimination here, the natural environment holds something for us all.

Swans at sunset – taken at a local lake in March

On being admitted to a care home, my own mother’s connection with nature was one of the things she clung to from life before dementia. To support her in maintaining a link with nature, staff put bird feeders outside her windows, and she has plants in her room. There is also an outdoor space which offers sanctuary for many birds and mini beasts, as well as residents. None of which involves hours outside using specialist equipment to undertake a lung crushing hike. The point being, that it is fairly straightforward to bring nature to you, if you cannot easily go to nature.

A few ideas on encouraging nature to your environment:

  • Plant wild flower seeds selected specifically for pots and patios
  • Join in No Mow May – lock up your lawnmower and allow wild flowers to flourish in your lawn
  • Involve children in nature appreciation activities, such as these suggested by the Woodland Trust – with their finely tuned senses, children often spot things which adults may overlook
  • Create a garden which nature will cherish – the RHS has some tips here, including advice on which plants to grow, and an explanation of why being too tidy isn’t always best for nature
  • Grow a herb garden or vertical garden indoors
  • Go for a walk in a green space and use all your senses to absorb the full experience of nature
We could taste the wild garlic in the air while exploring this patch of woodland

The Mental Health Foundation have published a selection of top tips on how to connect with nature to support your mental health. You can also download a guide to thriving with nature here.

I hope you find some of these ideas useful; I plan to start work on a wildflower patio display. If you feel inspired to share any of your ‘Connecting With Nature’ experiences, social media hashtags are #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.