(and why you should, too)

“Nature is our great untapped resource for a mentally healthy future.” Mark Rowland, Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme is nature. Now, I’m the first to admit that I’m not an outdoorsy girl. In fact, I once found a meme that summed up my attitude to the outdoors perfectly: “My favourite thing about going outside, is going back inside where it’s warm.”

I don’t like the rain. I don’t like the wind. I hate it when it’s hot. The only time I’m really happy with the outdoors is during a fresh snowfall, on a perfectly crisp back-to-school-esque autumn morning, or on one of those idyllic spring days when the birds are singing and the sun is ‘just right’. But I’ve taken this week as a challenge. And I think I might have smashed it.

For someone who makes a living in the wellbeing space, I’m abysmally negligent when it comes to exercise; which, as we all know, is something that’s great for our mental health. But because my mental health has needed a boost of late, I reluctantly agreed to finally go out jogging with my run-loving husband.

He was delighted. I was terrified.

Finding motivation in the great outdoors

Our first outing saw me jogging small bursts around the streets that circle our house; the next day, we headed down the road to our local park, where we jogged alongside a babbling brook with weeping willows hanging overhead. And amid the gasps for breath, I realised that I was smiling. That I actually felt really great.

On the third day, I jogged at the same beauty spot for over 2.5 miles, non-stop. Now, that might seem like nothing to some, but to me, that’s a marathon. And I truly believe it was nature that spurred me on.

There was something so freeing about being out and feeling the wind in my hair; smiling at the people walking their dogs; noticing the sound of the water trickling, and the leaves blowing. And it was the least anxious I’ve felt in weeks.

Nature: the great healer

During lockdown, a lot of us have reconnected with nature on a more personal level.

The first lockdown gifted us sunshine aplenty, and even I loved my daily walk around the local neighbourhood. Passing people in the street (at a remarkably safe distance, of course), you saw how happy they were to be outside, soaking up their surroundings.

Going out for walks has actually been one of the key coping strategies during the pandemic, with 45% of people reporting that green spaces have been vital for their mental health (according to research from the Mental Health Foundation). And with the pandemic thrusting mental wellbeing into the spotlight, it’s a lesson we don’t want to lose sight of once the restrictions have lifted.

In celebration of the healing power of nature, Mental Health Awareness Week has encouraged us all to appreciate the outdoors that little bit more. But it’s not just about one week: nature has power over our mental health, and it’s a power we should all be aiming to tap into on the regular.

Making the outdoors work for you

If you’re not quite sure where to start, try these three simple steps:

1. Find your nature: I don’t do well in long grass. Something to do with my OCD probably, but for whatever reason, I HATE it. Just writing about it puts me on edge, so I know that heading into a wild meadow isn’t going to give me all the happy feels. I do however love sandy beaches, moody woodlands, and prim parks. The point is, you’ve got to tap into what makes YOU happy in nature – then gravitate towards it.

2. Find a buddy: I never would have gone out for a run by myself; the encouragement (and company) of my other half made all the difference. Lockdown has made a lot of us feel uncertain about the world beyond our own walls, but having someone with you can make it easier to get going.

3. Find a way to bring nature indoors: If you’re a fair-weather explorer, you need ways to protect your wellbeing when you can’t get outside and into nature. Filling your house with plants or herbs is a great step (the touch, sight, and smell all act as boosters); watching nature or gardening shows has also been shown to help people, as has tuning in to websites with footage from wildlife webcams.

Find out more nature wellbeing tips here.

Our wellbeing journeys are all incredibly personal, and invariably unique. You might already find solace in the great outdoors, and I’ve been preaching to the converted. But if discovering nature is new for you, just take it one step at a time. It’s all about finding what makes you happy, brings you peace, and encourages you to thrive.

Take good care.

Article by Emma Attenborough-Sergeant, The Wellness Writer. Helping leaders to improve culture with relatable mental health and wellness content.