Nature

What is it?

Wellbeing Tools

Nature provides a peaceful escape from daily life.
Offers tranquillity, relaxation & a sense of calm.
Reduces stress, anxiety & improves mood.
Encourages mindfulness, self-reflection & creativity.

Here's more detail

Published: 26/10/23

Connecting with nature can be a refreshing strategy for enhancing your emotional wellbeing. Nature can provide an incredible escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, offering a tranquil space to relax, recharge and find a sense of inner peace.

When you spend time in nature, whether it’s hiking in the woods, strolling through a park or simply sitting by a quiet river, you may experience a deep sense of calm and connectedness. Nature can be like a reset for your mind, allowing you to step away from screens and distractions and embrace the simplicity and beauty of the natural world. This connection with nature has been shown to reduce stress, lower anxiety levels and even improve mood.

Furthermore, spending time in nature can encourage mindfulness and reflection. By unplugging and tuning into your surroundings, you may gain a better understanding of yourself. Nature can also be a source of inspiration and creativity, helping you explore your thoughts and feelings.

Learn more
Research has shown the role of nature in protecting and supporting good mental health.
Getting into nature can be a great way to connect with others, or to take time for yourself. It can bring opportunities for:
Meditation & mindfulness
A sense of connection with the natural world
Exercise and movement
Creativity
Taking care of nature and giving back to your community
To find out more about nature and mental health, visit the links below.
Research: Connecting with nature improves your mental health
Guidance: How are physical activity and mental health connected?
Blog: How do you look after your mental health?
Blog: How working with animals helps me manage my mental health
Blog: Turning to nature during the pandemic

Being in nature this way anchors me in my body in a way nothing else can, and with a brain that’s ever whirring and buzzing and floating off on a cloud of imagined catastrophe, that’s very therapeutic.

Eleanor

I also think water and nature takes away any worries we have as we can get lost in how beautiful it is.

Anonymous

I’ve found myself looking forward to simply walking through the park, lying down on the grass and enjoying the view. There’s so much colour and beauty to be found in the sky, trees and flowers. Being present with the ground beneath me, with the grass between my fingers and the cloudless blue sky above helps me to recharge.

Kas, 23

Spend time outdoors in nature. It’s soothing in a way I can’t even describe.

Anonymous

Many of my favourite memories with friends and family involve long walks or hikes, some of them in nature which I find very therapeutic. The beauty of walking is you get to have deep and meaningful chats as you go, because you’re not as out of breath.

Anonymous