It can:

• improve your mood
• reduce feelings of stress or anger
• help you take time out and feel more relaxed
• improve your physical health
• improve your confidence and self-esteem
• help you be more active
• help you make new connections
• provide peer support

“Nurturing something else into life has really helped my wellbeing –
gently caring for something helped me learn to care for myself.”

We all have different experiences of nature, and different reasons for wanting to connect with it more – or feeling unsure about whether to try. You might find you get something completely different from one activity compared to someone else.

“I’ve been getting out into nature and walking, either on my own or with dogs, to manage my bipolar disorder for years. It helps to keep
me calm and physically healthy, and I love taking the time to be mindful of all the beautiful green spaces around me, even when living
in a city. Watching the birds and squirrels always has a calming effect and takes me out of my own head.”

This page has some tips and suggestions for enjoying nature:

• grow or pick food
• bring nature inside
• do activities outdoors
• help the environment
• connect with animals

Don't worry if some ideas don't feel right for you – see if you can find some that do, or adapt one to suit you.

“I love watching the garden change, the difference I make when I dig a bed, plant something or even cut the grass... and honestly I am no gardener! An easy way for everyone to connect with outside is to watch the birds – put a bird feeder to attract them. Otherwise just get
outside, blow the cobwebs away, breathe deeply... bliss.”