Page 14 - Wildlife News April 2017

People & wildlife

Dominic Higgins
is Nature and
Wellbeing
manager at The
Wildlife Trusts
@DomCHiggins

Research proves (again) that Nature is good for you

A report by Essex University*, world. It proposes five evidence-based Outdoor participants at Nottinghamshire
commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts, ‘Ways to Wellbeing’. If you practice them Wildlife Trust’s Skylarks project
adds to the ever-growing body of in natural settings, you will improve your
research which shows that nature is good physical and mental health.
for you.
CONNECT Make friends with the people
The key finding is that wildlife- around you
rich environments don’t just keep you BE ACTIVE Go for a walk outside
physically healthy. They also reduce TAKE NOTICE Be aware of the wonders of
stress, improve mood, and reduce social nature around you
isolation. KEEP LEARNING Try something new
GIVE Volunteer or help other people
The report includes work by the New
Economics Foundation which is based
on the work of 400 scientists around the

getty *Wellbeing benefits from natural environments rich in wildlife, Essex University

14 Wildlife news / April 2017