Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 – Day 3 Top Tips

There’s a lot of good research to support the role nature can play in protecting and supporting our mental health.

For many of us though, ‘being in nature’ may not be as easy as it sounds.

The good news is, you don’t have to climb a mountain to feel the benefit – there are lots of simple ways to bring nature into your everyday.

Here are the Mental Health Foundation’s top tips on how you can build your own connection with nature: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/tips

For some of us, accessing nature isn’t easy. MIND has great advice on how to overcome barriers to accessing nature: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/overcoming-barriers/

“Even finding some green space or waterside in an urban area helps my mental health. If it attracts birds, wild plants and insects then it’s nature.”

WWF has an excellent resource on connecting with nature in their Thriving with Nature resources: https://www.wwf.org.uk/5-ways-connect-nature-help-our-wellbeing

“Sitting outside, in nature, calms me so much, gardening makes me feel healthier, inspired, the rain calms me, the smell and sounds of birds, animals, flowers, the wind, watching clouds float by, calms me.”

We hope you find this useful. Every Monday to Friday MYPAS offers a Digital Drop-in Service for young people in East Lothian and Midlothian aged 12-18.

To access our information and advice drop-in please go to our website at www.mypas.co.uk. A chat box will pop up from 3:30-5:30pm where you will be able to chat online to a MYPAS worker.

You will be able to live chat online with a highly experienced MYPAS worker for information and advice on any issues which are having an impact on your health and wellbeing. Young people use our Drop-in for lots of different reasons.

You can chat to us about: