Robert McKibbin
Robert McKibbin
Robert McKibbin
Building a connection with nature has two benefits.
It improves our WELLBEING
It encourages us to preserve BIODIVERSITY
Wellbeing
A connection with nature has mental, physical and social benefits.
Mental health benefits
- Anxiety and stress reduction
- Attention deficit recovery
- Decreased depression
- Enhanced memory retention
- Greater life satisfaction
- Mitigation of PTSD
- Increased creativity
- Enhanced productivity
- Reduced effects of dementia
Physical benefits
- Better sleep
- Increased birth weights
- Decreased diabetes
- Enhanced immunity
- Better recovery after illness
- Decreased cardiovascular disease
- Decreased mortality
- Improved digestion
- Decreased allergies
Social benefits
- Stronger community attachments
- Reduced crime
- Improved disaster resilience
- Broader access to local foods
- Children have better school performance
- Reduces socio-economic divisions
Preserve Biodiversity
Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity and all species, no matter how small, have an important role to play.
Biodiversity
All creatures and plants are connected in one way or another, even if that connection isn't obvious at first.
This is the foundation stone of biodiversity.
Ecosystems
Biodiversity is the key health indicator of our ecosystems.
Healthy ecosystems maintain water quality, keep nutrients in the soil, regulate the climate and ultimately put food on our plates
The bad news...
Biodiversity is in decline and the main cause is human behaviour.
We need to change our behaviour because it is damaging the ecosystems.
The good news...
There is a solution that we can all implement.
New and innovative research shows that a deep emotional connection with nature encourages pro-biodiverse attitudes.
How to connect with nature
A new closer, healthier and more sustainable relationship with nature comes through noticing, feeling, beauty, celebration and care.
The are five pathways which encourage a deeper connection with nature. They were identified by Professor Miles Richardson and the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby.
| Pathway | Things to try... |
|---|---|
| CONTACT - Tuning in to nature through the senses | Listen to birdsong, smell wild flowers, watch the breeze in the trees, go barefoot, taste the fruits of nature. |
| EMOTION - Feeling alive through the emotions nature brings. | Find joy in wildlife at play, take a moment to feel calm with nature, reflect on how you feel. |
| BEAUTY - Noticing nature's beauty. | Create a journal, take time to enjoy an amazing flower or landscape, paint a bird or insect. |
| MEANING - Letting nature bring meaning to our life. | Notice how nature appears in songs, poems and art. Follow the cycles of nature. Celebrate the longest day. |
| COMPASSION - Caring and taking action for nature. | Feed the birds, plant wildflowers, clean a beach, put up a nest box and support conservation. |
If all this appears a bit 'tree huggerish' ask yourself this simple question instead. Do I feel better or worse after a walk along the coast, a meander through a forest or a ramble over the hills?
Connect with nature, improve wellbeing and protect vital ecosystems.
