Living through the pandemic has given many people a new appreciation of the natural world. During lockdown, more people noticed the wildlife around them, in their garden, neighbourhood and local area. As the ever-constant buzz of traffic noise became a distant memory, people started to tune into the birdsong instead. As home-schooling became the norm and entertainment was thin on the ground, families sought out adventure on long walks, and home-workers explored the local footpaths on their lunchbreaks. Through the last 2 years we have sought solace and comfort in nature, and have re-discovered how vital it is to both our physical and our mental health. There is mounting scientific evidence that nature is good for us. In a survey conducted by Natural England in 2020, 85 per cent of participants reported that being in nature made them feel happy.
Green space - the Natural Health Service?
The benefits to physical health were evidenced in a study conducted by the University of East Anglia in 2018, which showed that populations that have greater access to greenspace are more likely to report overall good health – including a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, high blood pressure and more. Indeed, according to research from Natural England, if every household in England were provided with good access to quality greenspace it could save the NHS an estimated £2.1 billion. There are countless different ways that you can connect with nature and enjoy some of these benefits for yourself. Stretching your legs and going for a walk is an obvious one - reducing blood pressure, lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and regulating
