Many of you have been telling us why Nature Matters to your mental health and wellbeing, and why protecting it is so vital, writes Campaigns and Communications Officer Ginny Sanderson.
Nature fills us with wonder and awe. It reminds us we are part of something bigger. Anyone who’s wandered in woodlands or strolled along a beach knows the inner calm which arises from immersing ourselves in the natural world.
Hearing the wind breathing through the leaves, the hopeful chorus of birdsong, or the waves breaking onto the shore unlocks a sense of belonging to the world and makes our everyday problems seem much smaller.
And, in an increasingly digital world, nature offers an opportunity to go offline, to unplug, to escape.
But nature is in crisis. There is a real risk that these precious moments go away forever. We need your support to turn the tide. So we’ve been gathering your stories of why nature matters to you.
‘Nature touches my heart and soul’
Many of you told us how important nature is to your mental health and wellbeing.
Ben Andrew
‘It really makes your spirit soar’
You’ve also shared with us some magical moments with wildlife which brightened up your days. One supporter told how he witnessed a playful pod of dolphins from the esplanade at Greenock:
“It was amazing to see these iconic animals in the previously heavily industrialised and still highly urbanised area of the Clyde. It really makes your spirit soar to see them leaping out of the water. It makes me feel nature can recover if given the right conditions.”
Derek, a retired naturalist from Thurso, said: “Without nature there is very little point in living. The sight of hundreds of bumblebees on my Sedum Spectabile along with Red Admirals and other insects is enough to lighten up my life.”
Chris Gomersall
Frances from Dunblane told us how she saved two birds’ lives within days of each other. She said:
“There’s no greater feeling than saving a life, even greater when you save two. I remember the feathery warmth of their bodies as I held them. I floated all that week - felt as if I could fly”
Nature is “vital” in keeping us “emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy”, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
Research shows people who are more connected with nature are usually happier in life, and find it creates positive emotions such as calmness, joy, and creativity.
Mental health charity MIND also reports spending time with nature has been found to help with conditions like anxiety and depression.
But this important tonic which brings happiness and fulfilment to so many is at great risk. One in nine species in Scotland are facing extinction, from Puffins to Red Squirrels. We need your help to save them.
This autumn, we are calling for the Scottish Government to bring forward the Natural Environment Bill, setting legally binding targets to protect and renew nature. Keep an eye on our channels for how you can help.
Stories like yours are essential to show why #NatureMatters to so many people – not just for the future of our planet, but for our health and happiness.
Main image: Ben Andrew