Mental Health Awareness Week - 10-16 May 2021
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is ‘Nature’, and the Mental Health Foundation have shared some of their findings and hopes for this awareness day. It has never been more important for us to be able to access nature, than during the pandemic. Allowing ourselves to enjoy some outdoor space, and connect and interact with nature, is what counts. The Mental Health Foundation have listed three things they are encouraging us to do during the week.
Experience nature – Take a moment to notice and celebrate nature in your daily life.
Share nature – When you’re out and about, share any photos, videos or sound recordings on social media using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Talk about nature – Have discussions with others about your experience with nature, share some tips or great places to explore.
““There is something to be wondered at in all of Nature””
Plan a walk using the Walkhighlands website
Walkhighlands' mission is to encourage the enjoyment of walking, through being the best information source and social network for walkers in Scotland. Walkhighlands is the busiest walking site in the UK and, far and away, the busiest outdoors website in Scotland - with 500,000 unique visitors checking in each month. They are constantly expanding, and currently feature over 2,000 walking routes - including everything from detailed routes up every Munro, to short woodland or even urban walks.
What’s in it for me?
There are so many good reasons to bring nature into your everyday life, including the following shared by Mind.org.uk
improve your mood
help you take time out and feel more relaxed
improve your physical health
improve your confidence and self-esteem
help you be more active
help you make new connections
provide peer support
Visit their website to read more ideas to try in nature, and tips for overcoming potential barriers.
““Time spent amongst the trees is never time wasted””
Ted Talk - Prescribing Nature for Health | Nooshin Razani | TEDxNashville
Dr. Nooshin Razani talks about the healing power of nature, as well as why it is her mission to prescribe time in nature as a way to treat health conditions. Watch Dr Nooshin Razani's talk to learn how and why nature can be an essential part of healthy living.
““Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better””
Have you ever heard of Forest Bathing?
Why not make use of the nature around us, and try ‘forest bathing’? The term emerged from Japan during the 1980’s to describe ‘shinrin-yoku’; a physiological and psychological exercise that translates to spending more time around trees.
The idea is to immerse yourself in nature and take in your surroundings, through all five senses. For some, this could look like a simple stroll - on your own, or with a friend - where perhaps you’re just looking more and noticing what’s around. For others’ it might look like finding a spot and either trying: yoga, Tai Chi, meditation and other mindfulness practices etc. Sometimes, being around nature and having a picnic, writing a poem, or drawing on what’s around you - can also do the trick.
Since the 1990’s, research has gone into understanding the benefits of forest bathing. It’s been suggested that a reason that forest baths are so helpful is because certain trees, such as evergreens, naturally emit airborne essential oils. These are called phytoncides that reduce depression, boost our energy, help our immune system, and reduce stress hormones when we breath them in!
So not give it a go? At Perth College UHI, we’re surrounded by forests that would definitely be able to satisfy any forest bathing interests!
Interesting Links:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/08/walking-in-woods/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7pBV4Kug0w&ab_channel=ForestryEngland
Interesting Books:
Forest Bathing: How trees can help you find health and happiness by Dr Qing Li.
Share with us
As well as sharing your stories, photos, videos and audios on social media – our Student Support Team would love to see and hear your experiences. Send any over to studentsupport.perth@uhi.ac.uk, and we will share on the college Facebook page to inspire others.
Whether it’s a hill walk, forest bathing, or a short walk somewhere close to home - we hope you can take some time this Mental Health Awareness Week for yourself, to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy what nature has to offer.
