This years campaign theme is Nature.
‘There is something to be wondered at in all of Nature’ – Aristotle
During long months of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature. The Mental Health Foundations research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic showed going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies and 45% of us reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health. Websites which showed footage from webcams of wildlife saw hits increase by over 2000%. Wider studies also found that during lockdowns, people not only spent more time in nature but were noticing it more.
Nature and our mental health
Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world. For most of human history, we lived as part of nature. It is only in the last five generations that so many of us have lived and worked in a context that is largely separated from nature. And it is only since a 1960s study in the US found that patients who were treated in hospitals with a view of nature recovered faster, that science has started to unpack the extraordinary health benefits.
Despite this, many of us are not accessing or benefitting from nature so goal for this week is to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways.
See the guide below for ideas and top tips on what you can do to get out and enjoy the fresh air more.
