...just five minutes spent in nature can improve people’s sense of self-esteem and mood.
We've long felt the benefits to mind and body of walking through beautiful wildflower meadows, enjoying the sights and sounds of a local woodland and just generally getting outside in nature. Now science is showing how nature can help reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression. It can also boost our immune system health. Find out how you can connect with wildlife, get involved with the Wildlife Trust BCN and learn about the science that is backing up our appreciation for nature.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
The theme for the Mental Health Foundation's Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 (10-16 May) is Nature and celebrating the mental health benefits of being around nature. During the pandemic, nature has provided consolation and support to millions of us. Whether it’s been birdwatching, walking in the woods or park, or listening to the ocean, nature has helped calm us in this crisis. Now more than ever, it’s time to connect with nature to help look after your mental health.
Top tips on connecting with nature
State of Nature
But we also want to help protect our State of Nature as it protects us. We have joined forces with more than 50 nature conservation groups to urge the Prime Minister to make sure this crucial change gets through. We must put nature's recovery into law before it's too late. Show your support for stronger nature protection by signing our petition.
30 Days Wild
There are many benefits to connecting with nature and 30 Days Wild is our annual challenge where we encourage you to do so every day during the month of June. We provide you with a FREE postal or digital pack of goodies to inspire your wild month. There are special packs for schools/nurseries/youth groups, care homes and businesses so why not get everyone involved!
Health benefits of wild places
Research between the Wildlife Trusts and the University of Essex has shown how the health and wellbeing benefits from nature include improvements to physical health (through increased physical activity) and improvements to psychological and social wellbeing including: reductions in stress and anxiety, increased positive mood, self-esteem and resilience, and improvements in social functioning and social inclusion.
Children's Mental Health: stress
Children's Mental Health: self worth
Childrens Mental Health: happier
Blogs
Stem the sound
There are lots of ways we can employ the power of nature to reduce noise pollution around the home.
Team BCN take the Big Wild Walk challenge!
Meet some of the team taking on the challenge to walk 303,030 steps for wildlife in support of our 30 by 30 campaign! Can you match us…
Beyond Lockdown - A volunteer's perspective
Lockdown has had a big effect on all of us, not least our volunteers, many of whom had to stop work with us altogether at the height of…
Forget-me-nots by Chris Lawrence
30 Days Wild
The University of Derby undertook a three year study of participants of our 30 Days Wild challenge. Dr Miles Richardson, Director of Psychology explained: “Over the past three years we’ve repeatedly found that taking part in 30 Days Wild improves health, happiness, nature connection and conservation behaviours." It's easy and free to take part in 30 Days Wild, and we even have special packs available for use in the workplace or in schools, youth clubs and care homes.
Wildflower walk - Katrina Martin/2020VISION
Get involved
Spending time in nature improves our physical and mental health. The Wildlife Trust BCN offers all kinds of ways to connect with nature from outdoor events and volunteer opportunities to national campaigns you can get involved in. Why not get inspired by learning all about your local wildlife and wild places.
"People turn to nature in moments of joy and in moments of sadness. We are part of the natural world.”
Sir David Attenborough, President Emeritus of the Wildlife Trusts
