Introduction

Introduction to the course

How does being around nature make you feel? Being in nature has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health. This course will highlight the advantages being in nature can have and consider whether it always has an uplifting effect. If you would like to develop your relationship with nature, it will help you to do so using the Five Ways to Wellbeing structure as a guide. This course will also look at how people who have limited access to nature can still benefit from it.

There are so many aspects of nature around us that can be experienced. This course does not limit nature to traditional definitions which focus on the idea that nature cannot be man-made or influenced by humans. Nature, according to this course, takes a broader approach and can encompass areas or activities which have been influenced by people. These include being in your garden or visiting a local park, enjoying a plant on your windowsill, or having a walk at the coast.

By the end of this course we hope you will have:

• An understanding of the benefits that nature can have on mental health and whether being in nature always has a positive impact.
• Some ideas of how to connect with nature.
• Explored ways of being active in nature.
• The ability to take notice of nature.
• Knowledge of the variety of ways that you can learn about nature.
• An understanding of ways that we can give to nature and why this can be important.
• Learnt some tips to increase your personal safety when exploring outdoors.
• Explored any barriers you might have to accessing nature and thought about ways that they could be overcome.