Does nature help?
There is a lot of evidence to say that nature can be massively beneficial to our physical and mental health.
Things like exercise, gardening, being around animals and a change of environment are well known for their positive effects including:
- Improving mood
- Reducing stress
- Reduce loneliness
- Improve self-esteem
- Be more active
We all have different experiences and access to nature so it may be a case of looking what is possible for you and working with that. Maybe it’s a monthly drive to somewhere a bit further afield or a weekly walk to the local park where you can just sit and simple be in nature for a while.
Enabling conversations
One of the really helpful parts of nature is that it’s neutral ground when speaking to someone about difficult topics.
For example, if you were speaking to someone in work about issues at home, sitting at a desk across from each other can feel a little clinical and like a formal meeting. Or maybe people worry about being overheard or interrupted.
There is also evidence that sitting face-to-face might feel like a confrontation – me versus you. Whereas walking side-by-side puts you on an equal playing field – more ‘us’ than ‘me vs you’.
We also feel more comfortable being silent when outside and doing something like walking, silence gives people like to think, explore and articulate difficult conversations.
Ideas for getting out in nature
1. Connect with animals
Could you take a dog for a walk? Visit a rescue or a sanctuary. It might be as simple as hanging a bird feeder up near a seating area and just watching the birds.
2. Growing food
It doesn’t take a large plot of land to grow fruit and veg and doing so can help you connect with nature, spend time alone or with others, learn something new and find a sense of achievement.
3. Just sit and be
We often underestimate the power of simply finding somewhere quiet in nature to sit down and just be in the moment. To listen to the wind and birds, feel the grass and sun or even feel the rain fall on you. It’s moments like that you realise what people mean when they say silence is deafening but also beautiful.
4. Don’t take negative reactions personally
It’s common for a person to feel embarrassed or ashamed and if they don’t believe they have a problem or aren’t ready to face up to it, yet they may get defensive. It can take multiple attempts before a conversation happens. Give time and space and try to be understanding.
5. Your usual, but outside
Weekly Wellbeing Tip
Noise cancelling headphones aren’t just useful for music, they also help create silence where you might normally struggle to get it. They can also help you feel more focused.
