This course will look at how being in nature can improve our wellbeing. We will use the Five Ways to Wellbeing to help us look at ways to; notice the natural world around us, connect with nature, exercise in nature, learn about nature, and support the natural world. It has personal experience stories. You will have the chance to find out what stops people from getting out into nature and ways to be safer when exploring the outdoors. The course also has ideas about how you can still benefit from nature if you cannot go out.
New Economics Foundation looked into wellbeing in 2008. They found five things that change levels of wellbeing. This became the governments wellbeing advice, a bit like the ‘5 fruit and vegetables a day’ advice (Government Office for Science, 2008).
This course will take about 2 to 3 hours to complete. This timing will depend on how fast you read, the videos you watch, and how long you spend on the questions. You do not need to complete the whole course in one go. If you leave and come back to the course, it will remember where you got up to.
This course is for education and information only. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, or professional support. If you need crisis support, please contact local mental health services, your GP or telephone 111 or the emergency services.
Course updated: February 2025
You can find lots of information about nature via the National Trust website (opens in a new tab). They have a list of places that you can visit alongside a discover nature section providing the opportunity to learn about wildlife, nature, and the coast alongside various other topics.
The Countryfile website (opens in a new tab) has lots of information on being outdoors and British wildlife, alongside a how to section for green living and lots of news articles.
The Forestry England website (opens in a new tab) has a forest locator, a things to do section, and forestry and wildlife section.
This book describes the Japanese art of forest bathing and demonstrates how reconnecting with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to taking time out in your local park can have proven benefits to wellbeing.
This book is about discovering a slow, mindful way of walking that supports wellbeing. Delorie discusses how to let all our senses take in all the sensory stimuli that woodlands have to offer. It explores how to allow the forest to be a ‘therapist’ and includes practical ways to help us connect deeply with nature.
This book discusses how to become more aware of the mind-body connection through running to increase wellbeing and physical fitness. It explores how you can relate to your mind, body and surroundings in a new way to support mental, emotional and physical health.
This book is an exploration of how and why we walk. It is based on real life experience and philosophy. It considers the connection between their inspiration and discusses how the physical act of walking has an impact on us, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
This book draws on scientific discoveries to demonstrate how deeply connected human beings are to the natural world. It explores this connection and shows how interacting with nature can have a profound impact on our experiences.