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How going wild works wonders for our wellbeing

(c) Zsuzsanna Bird 

Being outside, surrounded by nature, can bring enormous benefits to our physical and mental wellbeing. Researchers have found in multiple studies that there’s a link between access to green space and a reduced risk of mental health problems. Spending time in nature can improve our mood, increase our physical activity, help us to de-stress and develop a stronger connection to nature – and where better to spend this time than at one of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s reserves?

Mindfulness simply means being present in your thoughts and being more aware of your surroundings and others. You don’t need any special training to become more mindful – it’s actually very easy to get started.

If you’d like to give it a try, we recommend that you start by simply engaging your senses – it’s a neat trick to ease your body and mind into a more ‘present’ state.

We can also harness the power of ‘five ways to wellbeing’ while out in nature:

Selfie of a group of people walking along a boardwalk in a nature reserve carrying wood and small tree branches that they have just chopped.

Connect with people while enjoying the nature around you. Meeting friends can be even more special with some wildlife spotting thrown in!

You could also foster new friendships by joining some local outdoors groups.

winter walk

Zsuzsanna Bird

Being out in nature helps us to be active. It’s easy to be more active in the great outdoors, especially if you can tackle rugged terrain. Challenge yourself to complete a long walk or a steep climb now and again – you’ll soon start to feel the benefits.

Ever wondered what a beautiful bloom is called or which bird is singing? Try and find out! Learning a new fact about nature can be a great way to boost your wellbeing.

Some great apps to try on your smart phone are; Merlin Bird ID, iNaturalist and PictureThis.

Man sitting on a tree stump in an autumn woodland looking up to the sky and into the trees.

(c) Katrina Martin / 2020Vision

Take notice of what is going on in nature. Spend time observing wildlife doing its thing. Sit quietly and see what happens.

Take a sketchbook and capture what you see. Don’t forget the detail!

Group of people stood around a dry stone wall pausing their work to pose for the camera. They are in the Yorkshire Dales

Give back time to help nature

You can do this by making space for wildlife at home – which can mean anything from feeding birds and hedgehogs to planting a container garden or creating a pond – or by volunteering with us.

In a recent survey, 100% of our volunteers said that their volunteering has improved their mental health.

Volunteer for wildlife

Keen to get out and explore some of the beauty of our nature world amongst like-minded people? Join us for a couple of hours at Potteric Carr on 17th March for our Woodland Wellness event.

Take part in some mindful activities that will enable you to fully relax and let go, enjoy the warmth of the campfire and cook some treats, and cast a piece of jewellery from smelting pewter over the camp fire!

Book your place

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