Mental Health Awareness Week
10th -16th May 2021
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 10-16th May 2021. The theme is ‘Nature’.
We have known for a long time that being outside has so many benefits for both our physical health and mental health. Personally, when I reflect on the past 15 months, being outside, has, at times, kept me going. Kept me going, when the days felt long and equally like they were disappearing at the speed of light. On many occasions my stress container was overflowing, but I felt that ‘nature’ was my ever-available resource. This resource protected not just my health but also many of the the peoples’ around me.
Often, my motivation to go out walking is not to feel the benefits of exercise, but to engage with my surroundings. I LOVE birds. Sitting or walking, listening to different bird calls is my mindfulness activity. I try to engage in this most days, whether it’s in my garden or out in my local park.
During Mental Health Awareness week, I will be following the guidance from the Mental Health Foundation to raise awareness of the benefits nature has on our health. Nature can give an abundance of gifts in alleviating stress.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation are asking us to do three things, find out more on their website :-
- Experience nature: take time to recognise and grow your connection with nature during the week. Take a moment to notice and celebrate nature in your daily life. You might be surprised by what you notice!
- Share nature: Take a photo, video or sound recording and share the connections you’ve made during the week, to inspire others. Join the discussion on how you’re connecting with nature by using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
- Talk about nature: use our tips, school packs, research and policy guides to discuss in your family, school, workplace and community how you can help encourage people to find new ways to connect with nature in your local environment.
Amy
