Nature is the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, this year. This week is important for us all to stop and take a minute to think about how we can achieve good mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation found that throughout the pandemic, visiting green spaces and spending time outside was reported to help over 45% of the UK population cope with the associated stress. People who visited or even noticed these green spaces found that nature supported their well-being.
The natural environment has the potential to be extremely beneficial to our mental health and well-being. Connecting with nature keeps us emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy. People who are more connected report that they are happier in life.
For all of us, it is getting harder to connect with nature. Pollution blocks our view of the stars at night, grass verges and hedges are cut, gardens are paved over for driveways and trees are chopped down. As our screen time increases, we need to make sure that we are still getting outdoors and enjoying the green spaces available to us. Around 13% of UK households have no access to a garden, so visiting green spaces can include parks, gardens, woodlands, rivers, beaches, canals, trees along the street or grass verges.
For Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to encourage everyone to reconnect to nature. By going for a walk, listening to birdsong, smelling flowers, gardening, or planting a window box.
Try to find nature wherever you are, get out into nature, use all your senses, and bring nature to you!
In our office we have just planted a herb garden to reconnect to nature. We would love for you to join us and plant some of your own herbs. Our blog on “5 easy to grow herbs” will give you some ideas of where to start and if you do start your own herb garden, don’t forget to take some photos and tag us in @alittlebitfood.
