Call the LionHeart Helpline

UK: 0800 009 2960 or +44 (0)121 289 3300

Request a callback

Close

Mental health and... nature

shutterstock_1367661881
13-05-2021

There are many reasons why this year's Mental Health Awareness Week theme 'Connecting with Nature' is so apt.  

Although restrictions across the UK are gradually lifting and there's a little more optimism in the air, this is the second Mental Health Awareness Week we've spent under semi-lockdown - governed by rules and regulations that would have been simply unfathomable 18 months ago. 

It's no surprise that this period has taken a real mental toll on people - even those who have never had any reason to worry about or think about their mental health previously - living, as we have, with uncertainty, a certain amount of fear and anxiety, and isolated from loved ones and many of the things we may usually rely on to support wellbeing.  

'Connecting with Nature' has probably never been more important in people's lives. Given everything else that has been 'taken away' from us, more and more of us have come to appreciate spending time outdoors; in fact, a recent study by the Mental Health Foundation found that getting out for a walk had been the main way of coping with the stress of the pandemic for some 60% of us, while more than 40% agreed being able to access green space had been vital for our mental health.  

'Ecotherapy', or outdoor activity such as conservation, gardening, farming or exercise have all been shown to benefitpeople'smental health - even, for some, a possible alternative to medication or other therapies - with academics also suggesting people living in close proximity to green space enjoy significantly better mental health.  

Recent valuations even estimated that £2.1 billion per year could be saved in health costs if everyone in England had good access to green space, due to increased physical activity in those spaces- and the associated boost to mental health. 

As we move forward into our new 'normal' it seems that some of the changes we have experienced over the past 15 months or so might be with us for the long term. As more businesses and organisations embrace the idea of flexible working, some lockdown habits such as walking more and enjoying local natural areas might be here to stay.   

We asked some of the LionHeart team and mental health ambassadors how nature and the outdoors supports their mental health:  

JoJo Grant, LionHeart wellbeing project development lead

Personally, I've always loved to be outside, whether walking, running, cycling or gardening and notice that it has a positive effect on my own mental health so I do my best to make time to get out there and enjoy some fresh air and explore a new area. 

Working closely with LionHeart's volunteer mental health ambassadors - all practising surveyors with lived experience of mental health challenges - I'm always struck by how many of them say that being outdoors for exercise or leisure has helped them stay mentally healthy and manage long-standing conditions including anxiety and depression.  

shsmStuart Howison, mental health ambassador

Running, for those who know me well, is the biggest contributor in helping me maintain my mental health and wellbeing. It helps me clear my head of any negative or unhelpful thoughts, or process things if it's been a busy or stressful day.  

During lockdown I have made an effort to maintain regular exercise and in fact am probably the fittest I've ever been because home working has made it easier to fit more running in.  

kirsty-harveyKirsty Harvey, mental health ambassador 

I've always been active and outdoorsy, and find that exercise stops me thinking about work, as I focus on what I am doing so I'm more relaxed. 

People may automatically think of exercise as going down the gym, but there are so many other ways of incorporating something you like into your life. I personally don't find things like yoga relaxing, as I can't switch my mind off, whereas give me a spade and a patch of soil and I can relax for hours. 

Latest Posts

2024
October
5th - RICS Lifetime Achievement award for former chair
September
25th - 125 year anniversary marked - where it all began
9th - LionHeart makes new board appointments
4th - LionHeart's first ever associate board members conclude terms
July
19th - LionHeart reassurances following EAP revelations
9th - Anniversary fundraising challenge raises thousands of pounds for LionHeart
June
17th - OBE honour for outgoing chair
11th - LionHeart announces new chair of Board
7th - LionHeart marks 125 year milestone
3rd - 2024 LionHeart Impact Report published
April
12th - 10 little ways to cut stress
9th - Countdown to 125 Anniversary Challenge
March
7th - LionHeart appoints new CEO
February
13th - Celebrating 125 years of LionHeart
January
3rd - 10 things to STOP doing this year
2023
December
20th - 2023
14th - LionHeart kicks off 125th anniversary year
November
16th - Can you support LionHeart's 2023 Christmas hamper appeal?
1st - Men's Health Month
October
23rd - LionHeart vice chair wins ambassador award
17th - Trio of trustees shortlisted for award
September
11th - RICS chief exec speaks at LionHeart office opening
August
29th - LionHeart CEO to step down
23rd - LionHeart signs 50th corporate partner
July
12th - Corporate Bushtucker Trail challenge raises £8K for LionHeart
3rd - LionHeart has moved!
June
26th - 2023 LionHeart Impact Report published
9th - Farewell to trustees with combined 27 years' service
April
6th - LionHeart announces new financial education partner, nudge
5th - Stress at work "an almost constant thing"
March
8th - RICS Matrics Gives 5 for LionHeart
6th - Neurodiversity Celebration Week programme
January
25th - Talking Children's Mental Health
5th - 23 ways to be kind to yourself in '23
2022
December
21st - LionHeart's 2022
14th - New board members join LionHeart
November
8th - Support our Christmas 2022 Hamper Appeal
October
19th - New trustees wanted
September
9th - The death of Queen Elizabeth II
8th - New associate board members appointed
August
22nd - Building a successful career - webinar series
July
21st - LionHeart features on Surveyor Hub podcast
7th - 2022 Impact Report published
June
22nd - Add your voice to our focus groups
May
23rd - SDL & Countrywide in Route 66 fundraising head-to-head
3rd - Get connected this Mental Health Awareness Week!
April
12th - Ukraine war
March
31st - Stress Awareness Month 2022
2nd - Support through war in Ukraine
February
1st - Follow Your LionHeart
January
10th - It's time to talk - 2022
2021
December
22nd - LionHeart's 2021 in review
9th - Generous donation to LionHeart following BlueBox sale
7th - 6 things to understand about grief
November
16th - Christmas hamper appeal 2021
10th - New RICS president pledges support for LionHeart
2nd - New streamlined global access to counselling
September
23rd - Mental health and... happiness at work
20th - LionHeart 2021 Impact Report published
14th - World Mental Health Day 2021
6th - Launch of new youth counselling service
August
12th - LionHeart grants
July
1st - LionHeart board chair to serve second term
June
17th - Men, and asking for help
8th - SDL Surveying do 5K May for LionHeart
May
13th - Mental health and... nature
7th - New wellbeing webinar for referred APC candidates
6th - Mental Health Awareness Week
March
23rd - LionHeart helps get paralysed dad home
17th - Join us for Stress Awareness Month 2021
9th - Generous legacy of LionHeart founder's great grandson
February
24th - Mental health and... lockdown
January
26th - New Post-APC webinar range officially launched
6th - Join LionHeart this Time to Talk day
5th - 7 ways to stay positive (even if you don't feel like it)
2020
December
22nd - Reflecting on 2020
1st - 5 ways to support LionHeart
November
25th - Can you be a Christmas Party Hero?
19th - Looking after yourself
16th - 2020 LionHeart Christmas hamper appeal
12th - Brand new support for surveying students & apprentices
October
15th - Join the conversation
September
29th - World Mental Health Day 2020 online programme
22nd - LionHeart 2020 Impact Report released
14th - LionHeart shortlisted for two awards
August
25th - Video
July
15th - The Covid-19 crisis - our impact so far
June
17th - LionHeart's (virtual) summer fundraising challenge
9th - Black Lives Matter
1st - New trustees appointed to LionHeart board
May
20th - Mental health and ... mindfulness & meditation
14th - Fundraiser James's solo half marathon for LionHeart
11th - Free daily webinars for Mental Health Awareness Week
5th - Giving Tuesday Now
April
3rd - Working from home - Top tips
March
23rd - Preparing for Covid-19 demand
16th - LionHeart response to Covid-19
February
27th - Mental health and... social media
January
23rd - Mental health and... money worries
22nd - LionHeart among charities who supported almost half a million people
2nd - Back to work blues?
2019
December
12th - Mental health and... Christmas
November
12th - Mental health and... sleep
October
23rd - LionHeart partnering on EG mental health project
18th - Mental health and... menopause
1st - LionHeart trustee in RICS mental health video
August
21st - Mental health and... physical ill health & disability
15th - Support for new parents returning to work
July
17th - Mental health and... LGBT+
9th - Podcast
June
17th - Mental health and... talking therapies
13th - Changing Times, Changing Minds
May
16th - Mental health and... family
April
10th - Mental health and... medication
February
5th - Children's mental health & families
January
21st - Blue Monday?