Reconnecting with nature: Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
By Nicky Hale, Head of Talent Engagement
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on nature and the important role connecting with nature can play in reducing distress and creating good mental health for all. Seven in ten UK adults say that being close to nature improves their mood and leads to more positive emotions such as calmness.
#TeamGuidant’s Global Head of Talent Engagement, Nicky Hale, shares with us her relationship with nature and how it’s been a positive influence for the mind.
Getting out into nature has been beneficial for my mental health particularly during the past year.
Sometimes the hustle and bustle of everyday life takes over, so I find it is good to get back out into nature to appreciate all the little things that we tend to overlook during times of stress.
I love getting out into the garden and May is my favourite time of year for gardening as everything is beginning to bloom – I could just do with it being a bit warmer!
Getting fresh air
I have a Dachshund Cocker Spaniel Cross called Maggie who has given me added reason to get out and about. Taking her out for daily walks, especially during this time of year is really nice – I live in Essex so we’re able to take long walks in the local forests.
Getting out with her gives me valuable headspace. I never underestimate the healing properties of fresh air and I always feel better after a nice walk.
Being a Mental Health First Aider has always been important to me.
I’ve needed to pull on the skills I learned on more than a few occasions over the past 12-14 months.
The most useful of these skills over the past year has been the ability to spot the subtle signs where someone needs support which can be easy to miss. Being able to spot these very subtle changes in behaviour has really helped me to ask better questions when talking to people about their mental fitness. Asking better questions has in turn led to people opening up a lot more, allowing me to really support the individual.
Often just taking the time to check in on people and ask if they are ok and being brave enough to delve a little deeper into finding out how they really are. Often people will respond with “I’m ok” but it is so important to ask and ask again, especially if you think that underneath the surface they may not be as “ok” as they are indicating.
As we move out of the pandemic and into better times…
I am pleased to say the contact I’m having with people needing support is reducing which is great news as it means people are coping better and I think the potential end of lockdown on 21st June in the UK has lifted everyone’s spirits.
If you feel you would like to speak to someone, please reach out as support is just a phone call or text away. Here are a few resources and support networks you can connect with below.
· Samaritans – Call 116 123
· Giveusashout– Text ‘shout’ to 85258
· Mind – Call 0300 123 3393
· YoungMinds– Call 0808 802 5544
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