let nature give you a lift!

I am passionate about the relationship between the natural world and our health and well-being. For me, there are few situations that won’t be vastly improved by some time in the open – walking, allowing my thoughts to flow and taking photographs of whatever catches my eye. Even reviewing my camera roll gives me a boost!

woodland well-being

I feel very fortunate to live in a semi-rural area, within walking distance of fields, woodland and country footpaths. What if you live in the suburbs or the city? You’ll need some creative effort, but urban areas are also chock-full of ways to improve your well-being by connecting with nature.

an early morning winter walk

how can your well-being improve by connecting with nature?

There have been lots of studies of the relationship between well-being and the natural world; these are some of the benefits consistently seen:

• a reduction in feelings of stress and anger

• increased feelings of relaxation

• improvements to physical health

• improvements to confidence and self-esteem

• increased levels of physical activity

• increased feelings of connection to the local community

15 ways to connect with nature & improve your well-being – wherever you live, whatever your activity level!

enjoying the natural world with the help of a smartphone…

• download the “Picture This” app and use it to identify the plants you spot

• download the “Merlin Bird ID” app and use it to record and identify the birdsong you hear

• download the “Wylder” app. This is a particular favourite of mine – the artwork is beautiful! Each day you will get a digital card, each with some information and a prompt to look out for something specific in your surroundings. You are invited to take a photo and then post it to the app community where you can also see what has inspired other users

• take a photograph in the same spot over a period of time and notice the changes during a season or two.

boosting your well-being, while leaving your phone at home…

• get up really early, wrap up warm and listen to the dawn chorus

• find a source of moving water – a stream, a public fountain, the sea…sit and listen

• pack your lunch and take it to the park. What can you see? What can you hear?

• walk barefoot on dewy grass

• ground yourself – note things you can hear, things you can smell, things you can touch, things you can see. You may even notice that the air tastes different at the coast!

if you can’t get outside…

• open a window and listen for natural sounds

• download an app to play soothing sounds from nature

• look up and spot pictures in the clouds

• get up early and watch the sun rise

• ask someone to hang a bird feeder and watch who comes to visit

• read about the impact of nature on someone’s well-being – The Salt Path, by Raynor Winn is a wonderful place to start!

Please do let me know if you try any of my suggestions and please grow the resource with any suggestions of your own! Before I head off, I shall leave you with some images of how my connections with nature have shown up in my art!

the natural world in my art