Connect with nature this Mental Health Awareness Week
Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is important for everyone and interacting with nature can be not just enjoyable, but also beneficial to our mental health and wellbeing.
And as restrictions ease, this gives everyone the opportunity to spend more time connecting with and embracing the nature around us. From forests and rivers, to parks and gardens, to window boxes or even house plants, we can find nature wherever we are.
At Dorset HealthCare we are working in partnership with other health and social care organisations to support Mental Health Awareness Week by promoting the power of nature and inspiring others to connect with nature by providing ideas and tips.
Did you know…
- spending just 5 minutes in nature can boost your wellbeing
- exercising in nature reduces blood pressure, heightens immunity and improves mood and self-esteem
- 11 surprising health benefits from gardening
- Exeter University recommends spending 120mins or more a week in nature to get the benefits for wellbeing – similar to the 5 a day of fruit and veg
- open your curtains and let the sun shine in – you’ll get a boost of serotonin and Vitamin D which helps to improve mental health and wellbeing.