2020 has been a year. The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, and the consequences have been huge. Lockdown brought job losses, loneliness and anxiety - mental health has been tested to the limits this year. The lack of access to mental health care is a significant barrier in battling the mental health crisis - could something as simple as connecting with nature offer a solution?
Even before this global pandemic, it was clear that there is a rising concern with mental health across developed nations. According to the World Health Organisation, around 1 in 4 people will deal with a mental health issue or neurological disorder during their lifetime. Mental health services are struggling to meet the growing demand, and the help on offer leaves much to be desired. Receiving free counselling sessions can mean months on a waiting list, and even then the therapy sessions are number- and time-limited – how can people be expected to make a ‘full recovery’ in just a handful of sessions? It is, of course, possible to pay to see a private therapist, but the majority of the population aren’t going to be able to fork out for private therapy sessions. We need to find ways of improving well-being in an accessible and effective way. One of the best ways that I think we can achieve this is getting outside.
Nature-based therapy is an umbrella term for therapies which are based on activities in a natural environment, that are specifically selected to aid the psycho-therapeutic treatment process. These therapies are based upon a wealth of research which finds that there is a strong positive effect of being outside upon psychological well-being. Benefits include stress reduction, an increase in positive emotions and an increased sense of community and belonging. The notion that nature provides psychological benefits has a long history; nature-based therapy has been in use since World War 1, when soldiers suffering from shell-shock (which was later referred to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) were assigned a variety of horticultural activities to overcome their symptoms. Could something as simple as encouraging people to get outside really improve their mental health?
There is a multitude of evidence that connecting with nature is beneficial for both the body and mind. One intriguing study has found that running in green space (e.g. forests or parks) provides more health benefits than running in indoor or gym environments. Exposure to green space was associated with reduced heart rate and stress, as well as reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and premature death. Connecting with nature for health and well-being benefits is by no means a new concept – in Japan and other Asian countries, ‘shinrin yoku’ is a common practice. ‘Shinrin yoku’, otherwise known as forest bathing, literally translates to ‘taking in the atmosphere of the forest’. This practice doesn’t involve any exercise, but simply being in and connecting with nature through your senses. Listening to the sounds of the breeze rustling through the leaves, absorbing the way that the sunlight plays on the forest canopy, and breathing in the natural aromatherapy provided by phytoncides (airborne anti-microbial substances released by plants). Research has found that forest bathing decreases scores for depression, anxiety and fatigue. Sounds like we could be on to something here.
In 2018, after a successful pilot study, GPs on Shetland (a collection of islands off the North coast of Scotland) became able to prescribe ‘nature’ to patients, a scheme which aimed to improve patient’s blood pressure, reduce their risk of heart disease and strokes – and improve their mental health and happiness. Patients who are given a ‘nature prescription’ are provided with a calendar which gives ideas about seasonal nature-based activities they can engage in, such as gardening and bird-watching. A 2019 study published in the British Medical Journal found that in the past decade, the number of prescriptions for anti-depressants has nearly doubled in England, with increasing numbers of young people being prescribed anti-depressant medication, some as young as six. Drug prescription does alleviate demand on mental health services, however it is important that alternatives are considered before handing out these prescriptions. The nature prescription scheme provides a free, non-medicated and easily accessible approach to dealing with mental health problems and may be an important and valid alternative.
We are living increasingly sedentary and indoor lives - our connection with nature is rapidly dissipating. A recent study by Ribble Cycles found that the average British person spends 92% of their time indoors. We are slaves to our smartphones, eyes drawn back to our screens with every ping and accompanying dopamine hit. I certainly don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest that there is a correlation between this and the mental health issues which are becoming increasingly prevalent. Taking time out to look after our well-being has never been more important, and research shows that something as simple as taking a walk in the woods can have a hugely beneficial psychological impact.
Next time you’re feeling low, put down your phone, put on your shoes, and source the nearest bit of green space to you, whether it’s your local park or luscious forest. Listen to the birdsong, breathe deeply, and try to remember that, just like the patterns cast on the forest floor by the sun-dappled leaves, this is all temporary and happier times are coming.
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