NHS HIGHLAND: Pressures on the natural environment damage systems that protect our wellbeing
Nature can be awe-inspiring, whether we are looking at the mountains still with some snow on the tops, reading about the volcanos that used to be located where the west coast now lies, or watching one of the remarkable new wildlife documentaries on the television.
The natural world can also improve our health, especially if we are able to get out and experience it. It may be hard for us to get out and about in nature, weather because of disability or what we can afford or perhaps we may lack some confidence in getting out.
However, the good news about connecting with nature is that even small amounts can really help. It doesn’t need to be a long or distant expedition. It can be about finding something simple and close to home.
Getting closer to nature can improve both our physical and our mental health and we can boost this even more by joining in with other people. It could be going on a walk through the woods or helping with gardening, for example.
We are becoming increasingly familiar with campaigns during the year which encourage us to take up a new activity or perhaps try to be healthier in a particular way, stopping smoking for example. These campaigns do offer us the opportunity to focus on specific things and can help us start doing new activities.
A week designed to help us focus on nature and health is Green Health Week which runs from May 11-18. This could be an ideal time to give something a try. Those looking for inspiration could see the Think Health Think Nature website at www.thinkhealththinknature.scot
Also the 5 Ways to Wellbeing produced by Mind suggests ways to improve our mental health which can easily be linked with a greater opportunity to experience the natural world.
Green Health Week this year has its strapline of “Nurturing the Health of People and Planet”. It will also see the launch of the new Highland Charter for Climate, Nature and Health.
Pressures on the natural environment, from climate change and biodiversity loss are a threat to our health, as they damage the systems that protect our wellbeing. As well as receiving benefits from that natural environment, we all have a part to play in protecting it. We will be asking organisations to sign up to this charter and make pledges of action and there are also ideas and opportunities for individuals as well.
Dr Tim Allison is NHS Highland’s director of public health and policy.
