Nature as Therapy

This year Mental Health Awareness week (10 – 16 May) is focussing on connecting with nature.

Being out in nature as a therapy has been brought to the forefront of my mind recently.  Not just due to lockdown but due to the myriad of other goings on in my life.

Over the last couple of years I have gone through a miscarriage, relationship breakdown, moved house and had to put my cat to eternal sleep (and also, due to lockdown, had to do the same for my mum’s cat, which made me feel a bit like a “cat killer”).  And, of course, I have had to endure lockdown as a single mum with three under 7 whilst dealing with all of this.

I had forgotten the good of getting out.  Yes, I did try and get the kids out of the house every day but more to keep them occupied, get some amount of exercise and pass the time for them.  The real benefits of doing so had got completely lost in my jumbled up mess of a mind.

So recently I had to be reminded:  I NEED to get out.  Not just to walk out of the door and stare at the ground in front of me but to notice, enjoy and take part.  Breathe the fresh air, feel the wind on my face, listen to the birds and bees and rippling streams, lie on the grass and watch the clouds.  Look at the flowers, plants and trees, actually look at them and take in their colour and form.  And I noticed the effect it had on me.  It calmed my mind and allowed it to clear.  I had a sense of freedom.  It lightened my mood and gave me a sense of achievement and purpose away from the normal grind.  I wasn’t necessarily doing it to get somewhere but that wasn’t the point.  I felt lighter, happier and better able to cope with the rest of the world.  And of course I didn’t have to think about what was going on in my life for the time I was out.  It gave me a break.

During lockdown ‘they’ told us we are all in this together but we have all been affected with varying degrees of mental turmoil.  Nature though, has carried on regardless, proving to us that some things need to be appreciated in splendour of simplicity, beauty and colour which we need to re-learn and absorb for our wellbeing.

I am so lucky, where I live in Wales we have everything; mountains, woodlands, lush green open spaces and canal and river walks, but not everybody has that, or if they do, not everybody can get out into it.  There are, however, many ways of getting your own bit of nature.

Of course, if you are lucky enough to have a garden, make use of it.  We are so busy with life these days most of us don’t even manage to make use of our own outdoor spaces.  Mow the grass, plant some flowers, sew some seeds, read a book, have a coffee or just sit and marvel.  If you don’t have any views from your space, lie on the floor and look up, watch the birds flying over or simply stare at the clouds or stars.  If you practice Yoga or similar and usually do that indoors, take it outside and reap the benefits of both.

Having lived most of my adult life in flats I have always had my little bit of greenery indoors.  Houseplants are a great way of bringing the outdoors in.  They also bring a sense of care and gentle responsibility.  When you see your houseplant growing and looking green and healthy there is a sense of achievement, so they also give back.  Those that know me know I also have a thing for herbs.  Herbs are so easy to grow on a windowsill as they don’t require a great deal of space or time.  And there’s also the added benefit of being able to use them – “I grew that, and now I’m eating it, and it’s good for me”!  All you need is a pot or two, a bit of compost and a few seeds (share a pack with your neighbour) or buy one already growing from the supermarket and pot it on.

In cities these days there an increasing amount of community gardens and parks to visit.  Even if it’s just a tree out on your street.  Go hang a bird feeder on it, watch the birds appear and listen to their song.

If it feels a bit too daunting to go outside (after lockdown, believe me, you are not alone!) ask a friend or relative along.  You also get the added benefit of a good chat.  Go somewhere you know or used to go.  Keep it close to home so if you start to feel uncomfortable it won’t take long to get back.

All this isn’t just hearsay or my own personal experience.  Studies show being outdoors can help:

• Improve heart health
• Improve immunity
• Reset your sleep cycle and get a better night
• Maintain healthy eyesight
• Give a longer life expectancy
• Improve lung health
• Increase happiness 
• Reduce stress
• With ADHD treatment  
• Improve creativity and academic performance
• Enhance memory
• Move your muscles and increase fitness
• Mental health management 

After all, we as a human race aren’t just beings; we are part of nature too.