SELF-C A R E
Managing mental health with nature Paul Brook Wildlife and wellbeing writer
Before I started writing about it, nature was already a passion for me – I’ve loved animals and particularly birds since a young age. But a few years ago I’d reached a point in my life where I wasn’t finding time to do the things I used to enjoy, and had pretty much forgotten what those things were. An ongoing battle with stress in and out of work gave depression the chance to creep into my life, bringing anxiety with it. I discovered the benefits of nature for health and then started writing about it.
How nature benefits my mental health In the last four or five years, I’ve noticed a growing number of people talking and writing about the benefits of nature for mental health. I’m one of those people – I’ve written about this topic many times, and have spoken about it on BBC radio and television. This article is about how I’ve benefited from the healing power of nature in managing the symptoms of my mental health problems.
When we’re worn down by stress, anxiety and depression, it’s easy to forget the things we used to enjoy doing – or how to enjoy doing anything for that matter. A few years ago, when I was frazzled and going through an episode of depression, my counsellor encouraged me to find time to do something I enjoyed. I’d always enjoyed birdwatching and walking, and tried to get out more and rediscover the pleasure of my abandoned hobbies. While nature alone does not cure depression, anxiety or any other mental health problem, it is one part of a toolkit of coping strategies that can help us to manage our well-being. My own personal mental health battles are with depression and anxiety, and I find that nature does help me in a number of ways.
A positive focus and distraction Absorbing ourselves in nature can turn a walk – or even just a nice sit down in a park or garden – into a mindful experience that focuses us on the present and takes us away from the churning thoughts that tumble round our heads and the anxiety that chews at our tummies.
© Journal of holistic healthcare ● Volume 16 Issue 1 Spring 2019
Hear the breeze rustling the leaves in the treetops; listen to the birds singing; watch butterflies and bees flitting among your garden flowers… I find that even a few moments being completely distracted by wildlife usually has a calming effect on me and lifts my mood. As well as the wildlife, experiencing different places – or just retreating to a favourite wild place – can be very therapeutic. I find being in woodland or by water especially soothing. Being outdoors has other health benefits too – fresh air, sunlight and exercise are good for our physical health as well as our mental well-being.
Discovery, excitement and adventure One thing I love about nature is that there is always something new to discover – new species to see, new places to visit, new behaviour to observe. I’ll never forget the wonder of watching badgers in a woodland clearing after years of waiting for even a passing glance of one. If I’m planning a birding trip, there’s that sense of anticipation and excitement at what I might see, and the thrill of seeing a rare bird for the first time. But a new experience doesn’t have to mean a new species – it can mean finding something unexpected in a familiar place. While off work with
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