Naturalist, author and TV presenter Chris Packham supports the Mental Health Foundation’s call for more people to enjoy nature
Location: United Kingdom
The Mental Health Foundation is encouraging more people to get outdoors after new polling revealed that one in three (30%) UK adults spend time in nature to support their mental health.
Throughout Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May), the charity is urging people to take simple actions to protect and nurture their mental health. Spending time in nature is free, accessible and enjoyable, and there is strong evidence that being in nature can help improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, support better sleep, and increase feelings of connection, calm and perspective. Even small moments of connection with nature can help people feel more grounded and better able to cope with daily challenges.
The polling* of 4,000 UK adults was carried out by Opinium on behalf of the Mental Health Foundation. Spending time in nature was the most common action taken by UK adults to support their mental health, ahead of physical activity (27%) and spending time with family and friends (23%).
Naturalist, TV presenter and author Chris Packham is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week and the Foundation’s call for more people to connect with nature, alongside the release of his new children’s book Nature is the Answer: A Toolkit for Eco‑Positivity, which encourages young people to build hope, curiosity and emotional resilience through their relationship with the natural world.
Nature has an extraordinary ability to support our mental health, offering space to slow down, reflect and feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. You don’t need to travel far or know the names of everything you see; nature is right there, wherever you are, from a tree on the street to birdsong outside your window. Helping children and adults build a positive relationship with the natural world can bring comfort, confidence and a sense of hope, which feels more important than ever at a time when many people are struggling with their mental health.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation is urging action for good mental health, including making greater use of nature in everyday life.
Research shows that people who feel a strong connection to nature tend to be happier and experience more positive emotions, including calmness, joy and creativity. Spending time in nature is also associated with lower levels of poor mental health, including reduced anxiety, stress and depression.
Connecting with nature can be easy and free. It doesn’t have to mean a trip to the countryside; it can be a walk in a local park or along a canal, time in the garden, sitting under a tree, or simply noticing birdsong and the changing seasons. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to find simple ways to take action for good mental health, and connecting with nature is a powerful place to start.
