Winter Wellness: Experts Share Nature’s Uplifting Power
Our latest campaign, ‘It’s Time to ReWild Yourself‘ brought together an exceptional cohort of partners, scientists, explorers, and artists to celebrate Nature Connectedness alongside the Nature Connectedness Network to inspire and help the public to come closer to Nature, no matter when and where you are.
And as Blue Monday, coined the saddest day of the year, approaches this Monday, 20th January, we wanted to shift the focus and emphasise the power of Nature to boost mental health and help the public look after their wellbeing this winter.
1 in 4 Brits experience a mental health problem at some point each year, yet research shows nearly nine in ten adults believe that spending time outdoors was good for their mental health.
Nature connectedness refers to the strength of an individual’s relationship with Nature, based on how they think about, feel towards and engage with the rest of the natural world.
Research by members of the Nature Connectedness Research Group surveyed a sample of 4,960 UK adults aged between 16 and 95 years, and found that individuals who visit Nature at least once a week tend to be 1.9 times more likely to also report good general health.
And levels of ‘Nature connectedness’ have been found to be four times more important than socio-economic status when determining wellbeing, with those individuals who connect with Nature reporting improvement in their happiness and mental health.
Yet the UK ranks 59th out of 65 on the Connectedness to Nature Scale.
“When we let the healing embrace of Nature in, her rhythms and whispers unlock a reflection in our own spirit, reminding us that we are Nature, and Nature is us.”
~ David de Rothschild,
Founder of ReWild Yourself and Voice for Nature Foundation
How Nature can boost our well-being
The University of Derby has identified 5 separate pathways, each proven to improve our connection to Nature and wellbeing: Senses, emotion, beauty, meaning and compassion
Our winter-friendly activities designed around the five main pathways have been designed to help individuals connect with Nature and boost wellbeing in an easy, accessible, and impactful, way to guide participants toward a healthier relationship with both Nature and themselves.
Beauty
Click here to download Beauty book
Nature’s visual appeal is considered one of the reasons humans experience a sense of connection. Celebrate Nature’s beauty by noticing and appreciating the beauty of Nature. Activity: Look at your surroundings and capture the unexpected beauty in Nature through the art of photography.
Senses
Click here to download Senses book
Sensory engagement helps shift Nature from being simply a backdrop setting for our activities, and encourages a feeling of immersion. Activity: Tune in with Nature, by recording and capturing its sounds. Make sure you hear, but also take time to really listen to the sounds of Nature.
Emotion
Click here to download Emotion book
When in Nature, our parasympathetic nervous system is activated, reducing stress and providing feelings of safety and calm. Activity: Get comfortable and reflect on how Nature makes you feel. It can be a memory, a smell, a colour, an animal… anything that causes an emotional reaction in you.
Meaning
Click here to download Meaning book
Exploring the personal and cultural meanings and significance of Nature, this pathway highlights the role of Nature in how we write, talk and represent everyday life and concepts. It is often associated with artistic practices, which explore and celebrate the symbolism and meaning of the natural world and our relationship with it. Activity: Think about what Nature means to you and tap into your creativity to bring this to life through artwork.
Need some inspo? Researcher in Nature Connectedness at University of Derby Dr. Miles Richardson just released his new book The Blackbird’s Song & Other Wonders of Nature where he delves into the science and mythology behind our relationship with nature, exploring everything from our kinship with plants to the way in which nature influences our moods.
Compassion
Click here to download Compassion book
Nurture a sense of love and care for Nature. Feeling empathy, a desire to help, and taking action to help Nature, can deepen our connection by helping us recognise our interconnectedness with the rest of Nature. Activity: Look around and consider your friends, family, teachers, colleagues, and write a note to someone close to you that inspires you to care for Nature.
“Research shows that simple activities that help us notice and enjoy Nature are key to growing stronger relationships with the rest of the natural world. The beautiful ReWild Yourself campaign offers challenges designed to nurture love and appreciation for the more-than-human, bringing feelings of joy, calm, and compassion for Nature”
~ Dr. Carly Butler,
Researcher in Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby
A Nature Connection Activity Book with five short and easy challenges covering each pathway, which have been scientifically proven to improve health can be found at the ReWild Yourself website, as well as access a host of other resources.
“Nature isn’t just a backdrop to our lives; it’s a fundamental part of our wellbeing. Our research shows that connecting with Nature through simple, everyday interactions can significantly enhance our mental health offering natural remedy to the stresses of modern life”
~ Dr. Miles Richardson,
Researcher in Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby
Sources
A summary report on nature connectedness among adults and children in England
Mental Health Watch, 2024. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?
Mental Health Foundation, 2021. How connecting with Nature benefits our mental health report
Mind, 2024. The big mental health report
Mind, 2021. Nature and Mental Health,
Mind, Seasonal Affective Disorder
ReWild Yourself, 2024. It’s Time to ReWild Yourself
ReWild Yourself, 2024. The 5 Nature Connection Pathways
The Adults’ People and Nature Survey for England – Year 4
University of Derby, 2024. Nature Connectedness Research Group,
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