Wellbeing in nature

This mental health awareness week focuses on the role of nature in mental health. We often hear about the powerful role of nature in our wellbeing but why is that?

Firstly, there is a chance to rest our minds. Stress, sadness and anxiety can take a huge toll on us and we need a chance to reset, a chance to not think. Spending time out in nature is a way to do this. Focus on the sights, sounds, smells, etc of the place. See if you can notice any animals or landmarks. Have some headphones and focus on the music. You are giving yourself a break from stress to remind yourself that things are ok. We can just “be” in nature.

Getting out in nature (even just walking) also counts as physical activity. This stimulates the release of endorphins and mood stabilizing chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. As well as raising your mood, these chemicals reduce anxiety and improve sleep. It will also help us maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure and health overall.

Right now, as restrictions are still a factor nature is crucial to meeting our social needs. Sitting in a park with someone has been vital to retain our social contacts in a nice environment. Walking on a street is never quite as good as a nice park or beach. Kilmarnock alone has loads of nice parks and Ayrshire has lots of great places to meet in nature to keep our connections.

Take a break from it all and experience self-care in nature.

Robert Fulton, Secondary School Counsellor

Helen Cosgrove, one of our fantastic secondary school counsellors has highlighted the many benefits gardening can have on our psychological and mental Health. Helen spent some years working within herbal medicine and is currently working on her own “Healing” themed garden which has included planting Echinacea seeds and a Passiflora plant,  known for easing anxiety,  Hypericum which is known to reduce low mood and Hibisicus which has soothing and cleansing properties.

Gardening has great psychological  and mental health benefits. 

1. Great as a distraction and to become absorbed in something else that can take away any mental or physical discomfort or pain.

2. Known to reduce stress and anxiety being in  nature  can make us happier and promotes health and wellbeing.

3. Plants offer steady growth and can be really settling this can be comforting, we can easily plant from seeds and care for them.

4. Just being in nature, watching birds and bees, can help refresh and restore our minds.

My tips for using nature to help with mental health and wellbeing

• Ditch your phones or time spent on tv and spend some time in your garden or the local park.
• Bring the outside in just by planting some herbs that you can sit on your window sill.

Brief Relaxation technique for using outdoors in Nature

Count 5 4 3 2 1 as you sit in the garden, in your minds eye visualise 4 leaves,  breathing in and out. You see the leaves  floating in a flowing stream, you can hear the flow and trickle of the water,  breathe in and out. The leaves float gently and steady by,as they do simply place a thought or worry on the leaves.  No need to rush no where to go ….just relax. Noticing the rise and fall of your chest, relax and feel tension and anxiety ease.. breathing in and out count 5 4 3 2 1.

Check out garden meditations on you tube

Helen Cosgrove, Secondary School Counsellor