Health benefits from nature report - ONS

The notion that nature profoundly impacts mental health was first proposed by Freud in 1929. The emergence of ecopsychology in the 1990s solidified this link, connecting time spent in nature with improved mental well-being and resilience. Notably, the US and UK military have integrated these principles into initiatives aimed at reconnecting soldiers with nature, utilising activities like gardening, farming, retreats and outdoor adventures to enhance resilience. A 2020 study involving 3000 participants reinforced the positive connection between green space access and mental wellbeing. Even window views of nature were shown to enhance mental health. Increased access with nature correlates with lower levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness while fostering higher self-esteem, life satisfaction, and happiness. Even small interactions with nature can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing a calming effect on the body and reducing stress.

We are not nurtuing nature enough, that much is clear. There can be many factors involved in this, from a lack of time to people making work a priority rather than health. Many people still feel the effects of Covid whether mentally, physically or at work. So their outlook has changed. During Covid, people embraced the hour of outside time as a focus to stay well, but now it’s business as usual. Stress builds up and our ability to make a proper assessment changes. We all know outside time is a priority but many choose to stay home, watch tv and overwork. If you compared this to screen time would you see an increase in that? And a decrease in outside time?

Wow. These numbers should be seared into our collective consciousness. People pay a lot of money for gym memberships, well-being treatments, books and courses on improving health and happiness. Yet it turns out that a walk in the park or at your local beauty spot has the potential to be worth much more to your health, and best of all it's free. Add this to other proven benefits such as simple breathing techniques and we all have access to our own powerful effective health and well-being spa, each and every day. Another lesson we learned in the pandemic appears to have been quickly forgotten as we get lost in our collective thought patterns of hustle and bustle. Let's all chill out a bit and connect to where we came from...the earth.

This report from the Office for National Statistics is worrisome, especially as it highlights 1.1 million fewer people in the UK benefiting from nature's health advantages in 2022 compared to two years ago. People absolutely need to spend more time outdoors. Outdoor play not only engages children's senses, fostering curiosity and wonder, but it is also linked to improved cognitive function, enhanced creativity and better concentration. Nature provides an ideal setting for physical activity, supporting motor skills development and a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the outdoors offers a unique environment for learning about and appreciating the natural world, instilling responsibility. Now, more than ever, it's crucial for children to connect with nature to counteract the stresses of modern living and cultivate resilient individuals who grow up connected to, not apart from, the natural world.

Businesses should heed these shocking statistics as a call to action. 22,000 years of perfect health - an almost incomprehensible figure will be taking it’s toll on business results and the economy. Sick days, illness, and stress - all byproducts of reducing the numbers of days we spend in nature. Do the figures not speak for themselves?

So what are our business leaders doing about it? We know that Incorporating nature into workplaces boost morale, productivity, and creativity - and it doesn’t have to be difficult.

1. Leaders can encourage employees to spend more time in nature by integrating natural elements into the workplace, such as potted plants or outdoor spaces.
2. Outdoor team-building activities, promoting green initiatives, and offering educational workshops on nature-related topics can foster a sense of environmental stewardship and well-being.
3. Encouraging employees to take breaks outside and conducting walking meetings can provide exposure to green spaces.

It's clear that during the Covid lockdowns, people exercised more and enjoyed the fresh air and nature more - this was driven by the fact that they were told not to and to stay at home unless it was your 1 hour a day allocated you by the government. Once the UK returned to normal the usual distractions of life came back eating into our personal time and we went back to the normal position of rarely going out for walks as a family unit. Maintaining decent mental health requires these relaxation processes to form a part of our daily lives.