Walks and Talks

I have a distinct memory of one of the walks I did in the first lockdown, when all the car noises had disappeared. It was probably about two weeks in, and I took a morning walk in the local woodland reserve close to me. What has stayed with me was the sheer noisiness of all the birds, not just a few twitterings or calls, but a full-on stereo surround sound blast of noise and busyness. It was spectacular, and it changed not only my mood, but my feelings of what was going on, and what we were to expect, and our role in a larger system. And it helped me, like so many others, to cope with all the stresses of homeschooling, working from home, and overall worry. 

We have been through a lot, and have all come up with coping strategies which we are now beginning to change, as we cautiously venture into meeting others, trying to negotiate what feels right and safe, and what does not. And walks and being outside in gardens is a huge part of this. We’ve even set up our camping kitchen tent in the back garden, so that we can still be sociable outside, even if it's windy or a bit rainy. 

It feels right that the focus on Mental Health Week this year is nature, as it's what has sustained us for over a year, but also is the refuge we have all needed and still need, whatever the next months bring.

One of the top coping strategies has been to go for walks. Websites with nature cams showing footage of wildlife had an increase of 2000% in visitors. Studies during this time have shown that not only did we spend more time in nature, we also noticed it more. And the most important learning has been that it is not only being in nature that's important, it is also how we interact and engage that makes a difference. 

So what’s the aim of this upcoming Mental Health Week that runs from 10-16th May? In the words of Mark Rowlands, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation:

"Firstly, to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, noticing the impact that this connection can have for their mental health. Secondly, to convince decision makers at all levels that access to and quality of nature is a mental health and social justice issue as well as an environmental one.

2021 is going be a huge year for nature: a new Environment Bill will go through the UK Parliament which will shape the natural world for generations to come; the UK will host the G7 nations where creating a greener future will be a key priority and a historic international UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be hosted in Glasgow in November."

You can read more here: Why Nature is the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

There are other links for inspiration or for walks, poetry, yoga - all with a nature theme  at  https://jamiuk.org/mhaw/