Bond with Nature

Article originally published in Round & About magazine March 2024.

When was the last time you stopped on a walk and really noticed what was around you? 

Are the trees in bud or flowering, are they native, which wild plants are growing? Many of us enjoy a dog walk in the park or a cycle down a river path, and that is a great way to boost our moods and get exercise, but really connecting with nature has proven health and wellbeing benefits.

Researchers at the University of Derby have shown that people with a strong connection to nature, are happier, have improved mental well-being and greater vitality. They’re more satisfied with life - and quite frankly, who doesn’t want that!

It’s not just about spending time outdoors, it’s also crucial that we develop a meaningful and engaged relationship with nature, for example by getting to know wild plants & native trees, listening to birdsong, celebrating the changing of the seasons or caring for wildlife in the garden.

Doing this undoubtedly helps me feel calm, content, and mentally strong. It brings positive energy to my relationships and makes me more resilient. One way to do this is through regular visits to a ‘sit spot’. Mine is a riverside location where I spend 10 - 20 minutes observing nature; watching, listening, breathing mindfully and noticing any differences from the last visit. Why not give that a try every day for a week and see how you feel?

I’m lucky enough to open people’s eyes to the joys of reconnecting with nature through my company Joyful Outdoors. Foraging walks, seasonal bushcraft workshops, map reading and navigation lessons and laughter yoga sessions that I run, all help spark an interest in nature or deepen people’s appreciation for what is out there.

I’ll teach you more about wild plants. Did you know for instance that stinging nettles, far from being just a painful weed, are an extremely nutritious food, their fibres once used in military uniforms, can make strong garden twine, and their seeds can help our bodies cope with stress. Nettles are just one well-known example, but there are many so-called weeds that we stomp on, which actually taste great and have extensive health benefits.

On foraging walks, we get up close and personal using magnifying lenses to see the tiny details of wild plants such as the shape of the stem, whether leaves are smooth or hairy, or if crushing the leaves releases an identifying aroma. 

In bushcraft workshops, we’ll gather seasonal wild edibles to brew up a delicious tea, perhaps nettle and ground ivy or pine and rosehip, before sitting down for seasonal crafting with natural materials gathered from the woodland. 

Using all our senses like this is key to building a stronger connection with nature. And as research has shown, the closer we get to nature, the happier we are.