Friday 07-05-2021 - 11:03

Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is important for everyone, and there are things that each of us can do in our day-to-day lives that can help to support good mental health, including connecting to nature.

There are lots of ways in which spending time in nature can be positive for our mental health and wellbeing. Thriving-With-Nature-compressed.pdf (mentalhealth.org.uk)

Time in green spaces

Across multiple studies, researchers have found a fascinating link between access to green space, such as fields, forests, parks and gardens, and a reduced risk of mental health problems, improved mood, and increased life satisfaction. Other benefits include reduced stress, increased physical activity, and better physical health.

Green spaces in Bolton

Here are a few of our favourite green spaces in Bolton.  Click the links for more information.

Queens Park, Bolton

Off Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4DA

Have a walk around the nature trail and afterwards visit the café for refreshments.

Moses Gate Country Park, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 7QS

The Park is centred on three large lakes and a large area of parkland with miles of scenic walking. The main and largest lake is reserved for migratory birds and wildlife. There's also a fishing lake and a canoeing lake. Located within the grounds of the Park is the Rock Hall Visitor Centre and next to it the Bird Hide. The Bird Hide overlooks a wild setting of trees and bushes with a scattering of bird tables and hanging feeders that attract wild birds of many varieties. There are also large areas of park and woodland marked out with walks and bridleways.

Moss Bank Park, Smithills, Bolton, BL1 6NB

Here you will find football pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts, a café and lots more.

Have a walk around the Rock Garden, take a football and have a kick about or sit on a bench and enjoy the park.  There is also a café serving drinks and hot food.  

Smithills Hall and Country Park

Not far from Moss Bank Park, is Smithills Hall.  Set in land on the edge of the West Pennine Moors, Smithills Hall is one of the oldest and best preserved manor houses in the North West of England.   Walk round the grounds and explore the woodland surrounding the hall. 

Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the United Kingdom concerned with the creation, protection, and restoration of native woodland heritage. It has planted over 43 million trees since 1972.  Download the Woodland Trust App or visit their webpage, put in your location and it will show you the location of woodland near your home. 

There are some great walks managed by the Woodland Trust in Bolton.  One of our favourites is Horrocks Wood.  Wear good walking shoes and be prepared to get a bit muddy!  There is café van on the carpark, so you can have a nice hot drink at the end of your walk.

Follow a woodland trail. (See the Forestry Commission England and Natural Resources Wales (Cyfoeth Naturiol)

If you don’t want to do anything strenuous, find some where outside to sit and enjoy the moment.  Just be outside, breathing fresh air, listen to the sounds around you; birds singing, children playing, people chatting, study the trees, feel the elements on your skin, how does it feel?  Look about you and really take in what you see and hear.  Be in the moment, try to relax and be calm. Have a look at the Mind.org  pages on mindfulness and taking a mindful moment in nature.

You could try doing things like growing food or flowers indoors and outdoors, exercising outdoors or take a picnic to your local park.  Try eating outside in your garden or any outdoor space. 

  

Create a growing space.

If you have a small outdoor space, you can grow flowers and veg.  Try recycling an old container to plant your plants in, it’s a great feeling to nurture your plants and watch them grow.  Vegetables seem to taste extra nice when you have grown them yourself.  Enjoy watching your flowers grow from seed to when they flower.  They not only look nice but provide food for our insect friends.

If you don’t have an outdoor space, you can still grow plants and veg inside. Growing inside has the advantage of shelter, warmth and regular watering. You can grow a good variety of vegetables and greens.  By growing veg indoors you'll be rewarded with some tasty veggies all of which you grew yourself.    You will need:

• Compost – buy from your local supermarket during spring/summer or garden centre.
• Seeds – eg, carrots, spinach, chives, lettuce, radish – whatever you like to eat.
• Containers to grow your veg – try recycling plastic milk containers or anything you can put compost in! 
• Follow the instructions on the back of the seed packet to plant your seeds and don’t forget to water them. 
• Place in the sun if you can, eg, a windowsill but if you can’t put them where its lightest in your home.
• Wait for some lovely veg to germinate and watch them grow!

 

 Click here for information about gardening

Allotments

If you find you enjoy growing your own and would like to do this on a bigger scale, apply for an allotment.  Click here for information about allotments in Bolton.

Help the environment

Litter picking is a great way to start.  Contact your local council to get litter picking equipment.  Litter picking keeps your neighbourhood looking nice, after all litter is an eyesore.  Picking up litter also protects the local wildlife.  We have all seen the videos of cats with discarded cans stuck on their heads and birds will sometimes pick up litter thinking its food or nesting material.  Set an example, join a local group or litter pick on your own.  Every piece of litter you collect helps the environment and everyone around you and you are making a huge difference.

Volunteer for a conservation project.

The Groundwork, Wildlife Trusts and The Conservation Volunteers websites have some suggestions.)

When you are in nature you are free from everyday stresses and worries. 

 

The 19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote about nature, “There I feel that nothing can befall me in life—no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair.” The science speaks to Emerson’s intuition. It’s time to realize nature is more than just a material resource. It’s also a pathway to human health and happiness.

Resources:

www.mind.org.uk

Thriving with Nature