Top tips on connecting with nature this Mental Health Awareness Week

­This week from 10 – 16 May 2021 is Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s theme is ‘Nature’.

The Mental Health Foundation have found that there is a lot of good research that supports the role that nature plays in supporting our mental health.

Connecting with nature is not as hard as you may think. Here are some of our top tips on how you can build on your connection with nature and bring it into your everyday life:

1. Attempt to find nature wherever you are

Nature is everywhere including household gardens, local parks, nearby beaches or open countryside. If you live in a big city, you may feel as though nature is harder to find but areas such as community gardens or courtyards are often overlooked and can certainly be classed as nature. Exploring these places that are local to you has great benefit and you can incorporate walks past these places on your daily commute to ensure you are feeling the benefit.

2. Connect with nature using senses

Taking some quiet time out to reflect in natural settings using your senses can give your mental health a real lift. Relaxing in household gardens and taking a more scenic route on your walk to work and looking out for new things you haven’t seen before is a great way to bring you a sense of calm and joy.

3. Exercise in nature

Exercising outside in nature is a different experience that many people have been found to enjoy, whether it’s a run, cycle or short walk. Exercising releases endorphins which are proven to lift your mood and reduce feelings of anger, tiredness or sadness so a run outside in your local park not only connects you with nature but brings you those endorphins to set you up for the day ahead.

These are just a handful of many ways you can connect with nature to form daily habits to incorporate into your life. For more tips and information visit the Mental Health Foundation.