Psychosynthesis Trust’s Social Impact Director, Kelly Tyler, discusses how spending time in nature can help us reduce our anxiety as part of the Exploring Anxiety: Time to Trust project.
According to a new survey commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation, one in ten (10%) of UK adults are feeling hopeless about financial circumstances, more than a third (34%) are feeling anxious, and almost three in ten (29%) have felt stressed in the past month. This corresponds to the survey that the Trust has conducted over the last 3 months, where 95% of people surveyed have experienced symptoms of anxiety, with over 45% are worrying about money.
The call is for government action to support people at higher risk of mental health issues and preventing these problems ahead of the Government’s Autumn Statement. We are pleased that the Trust is contributing to this call, by offering our Exploring Anxiety Project, providing support, insight and resources to help prevent the continued rise in anxiety levels.
The key elements that are involved in our social impact project include proving weekly access to nature and gardening, being part of a community, including linking to local organisations for sustained support, and learning how to disidentify with anxiety, helping realise that we are more than our thoughts and feelings.
Resources
If you are experiencing anxiety we invite you to consider reading some of the following:
- A study from European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter found that spending just 2 hours a week in green spaces significantly improves your mental health. Read the study here.
- An article from UNC Health on how direct contact with the earth with bare feet (grounding) and touching soil through gardening increases your levels of serotonin and free electrons to promote good mood and health. Read the article here.
- Tips from Benenden Hospital on growing your own food helps to support increasing in food bills, whilst reconnecting the whole family to nature. Read their suggestions here.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ advice about being part of a community increase to your sense of belonging, access to support and helps develop purpose which all impact on mental health. Read the piece here.
- A collection of statistics revealing how spending time outdoors can positively impact mental health, from Forst Holidays. Read the piece here.