MSWA Bulletin Magazine Spring 2021

COUNSELLING
CONNECTING
WITH NATURE
It was a long, wet winter and many of us are feeling the effects of a lack of sunlight and being
‘stuck inside’. The effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) have been well documented,
where the lack of getting outside and the impact of low vitamin D impacts our mental and
physical health.
I have written before about the
benefits of animals on your mental
and physical health. I am now
inviting you to expand this, to
incorporate the natural world. The
medical profession is beginning
to recognise the benefits of
connecting with nature. Treatment
rooms and waiting rooms are
displaying images of nature on
the walls, incorporating sounds of
nature (such as water and birds)
and going as far as providing
subtle scents of nature, which
has increased positive outcomes
for patients.
Humans have an innate appreciation
of close contact with nature, which
is believed to have derived from
the living conditions under which
humans evolved. In other words, the
need to connect with nature is in
our DNA. The value and importance
of our connection to nature is
nothing new as historically many
cultures have included aspects of
nature and the use of medicinal
plants into their wellbeing and
health practices. However, there is
now clear scientifically researched
evidence for the beneficial effects
of exposure to nature and green
environments and the resulting
feelings of wellbeing this can
produce.
There are many ways to get
outside – gardening is a popular
pastime for many. In fact, scientists
have suggested that a type of
friendly bacteria found in soil may
affect the brain in a similar way
to antidepressants! I would not
suggest eating dirt, however getting
your hands and feet into the soil is a
great way to increase exposure and
activate those chemicals in your
brain that improve your mental
and physical health. Alternatively,
going for a walk or ride in the bush
or park, going to the beach, or even
a picnic outdoors are a few of the
many ways you can connect with
the natural world.
If getting physical outside is beyond
your capabilities maybe try sitting
outside with a book or just sitting
mindfully, while engaging fully
with the sights, sounds, smells, and
textures that surround you.
So, venture forth into the
‘great outdoors’ in whatever
way you can. Your physical
and mental health will thank
you for it.
For those of you who would like
to investigate this subject further
there is a document online called
‘Beyond Blue to Green’ which is
an Australian paper developed
by Beyond Blue and the Deakin
University.
KAREN BROWN
MSWA COUNSELLOR
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