Focus on Mental Health - Connect With Nature

News - 11 May 2021

The last year put a sharp focus on mental health as we have all been faced with challenges and change. This year's theme for Mental Health Awareness week is nature. We take a look at how nature can help well-being and tips to manage your wellbeing.
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On Monday, 10 May 2021, England residents were given the news of a further lifting of lockdown restrictions as step 3 in the roadmap out of lockdown was confirmed. 

The lifting of restrictions affects everyone differently. Some of you may welcome the return to normality. While others may feel anxiety or stress. NHS has put together various support materials and articles to support the transition and help you cope. 

Tips on how to cope with anxiety about coming out of lockdown

However, mental wellbeing should be something that we feature in our day-to-day lives. There are lots of free, small, simple steps that we can take to ensure that we all stay well and take care of our own well-being.

Connecting with nature for mental wellbeing   

  • Take a mindful walk outdoors in nature -  How often do you notice your surroundings? Take time to look up at the sky, listen to the sounds of birds, and appreciate the beauty of our diverse environment. 
  • Create your own nature - There are lots of cost-effective ways we can bring nature into our own spaces. Make a butterfly feeder with sugared water in a milk bottle cap. Dry out seeds from vegetables and plant them in a pot. Make your own homemade bird fat balls with leftover cooking fat. 
  • Look for opportunities to help others and your community - For example, The Woodland Trust offers community tree planting sessions. There may also be litter picking meets in beauty spots and parks, or river cleans. Look at your local social media pages or news feeds for the latest projects.
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If you are looking for a more personalised approach to managing your mental health, why not take the NHS Mind Plan Quiz. A five-question quiz that will provide you with advice and tips on how to manage your mental health. 

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It is important to remember if you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone - help is available. There are people ready to listen to you.

Samaritans offer free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 116 123.

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service. By texting the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 you will start a conversation with a trained Shout Volunteer. 

Bath MIND also supplies a variety of support services. 

Connect with nature, connect with others and connect with your own wellbeing. 

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My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard.

We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words.

This report is data analysis which has been researched and written by a Young Healthwatch volunteer who is studying the University of West of England (UWE).


Report