The healing power of nature
- Kate
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Have you seen this advert recently?
Many people's experience is that time in nature makes them feel good, so it is fascinating to see that doctors are actually prescribing time in nature to people who could benefit from the positive effects. Amazing!
Quality time in the outdoors
🌿 Be your own doctor and prescribe nature to yourself!
You might regularly walk to work, walk the dog, or go for a jog, but are you taking the opportunity to fully connect with nature when you are outdoors? Modern life is so busy. It sometimes feels impossible to pause and take it all in, but that's the way to get the very best out of your experience in nature.
Connect to nature with all your senses. Don't just look forwards, but take time to look up into trees, notice the tiny insect lives that are busy on the ground below you, and take a deep breath of fresh air. Notice the different bird calls, even if you can't always see the birds themselves. If you usually have earbuds in listening to music or podcasts, try listening to nature's soundtrack instead every now and then, and feel soothed and energised in equal measure.
It may sound basic, but it is easy to forget how to live in the moment when your busy brain is thinking about all sorts like: what to have for dinner, when you need to pay that bill by, or needing to book that important appointment. Equally, if you are always looking down at your phone screen, there is so much you're missing! That message can wait, that email can wait. Drink in your natural surroundings - and what better place to do that than Whitlingham Country Park!
Volunteering in nature
Social time is vital for wellbeing, but being social within nature provides an even greater effect. The NHS England website states:
There is a strong and growing evidence that nature based social prescribing plays and important role in improving mental and physical health and reducing loneliness.
Our regular volunteers certainly agree that the comradery and time in nature helps them feel good. Some of them have been volunteering with us for many years, so it must feel good! Many of them are retired, and it can easily turn into a lonely time once you leave your workplace team. Volunteering is a great way to join a new team and feel connected again!
We are currently at capacity for park volunteers in outdoor roles, but if you're interested in volunteering at our welcome centre (soon to launch!) then we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch to find out more if you like the sound of:
Being a friendly face to greet visitors
Helping the public by providing park maps and advice (no prior knowledge necessary)
Being on hand in the mini gift shop that will be in our welcome hub
🌟 In return for your volunteering time and effort, you'll get free parking on site, Whitlingham volunteers uniform (t-shirt and sweatshirt/fleece) and discount in our Flint Barn Café too! 🌟
Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you into the team.
đź‘€ Keep an eye out for our new visitor hub, appearing in Flint Barn Car Park soon... sneak peak below....
As well as the welcome centre, it will also have a take-away coffee and ice-cream hatch to save you queuing in peak café time. Win!
