This week marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness week and in Morecambe Bay, health bosses are encouraging local people to get out and about more and connect with nature to help boost their mood and improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.
The annual awareness week is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. The theme this year is nature; emphasising how connecting with the natural world around us can support good mental health in everyone. The campaign highlights the need for us all to look after our minds and celebrate the benefits of being around nature in our local communities.
For example, you can connect to nature in your local area by stopping for a moment to listen to the birdsong, or to smell the freshly cut grass or to enjoy the flowers in bloom as spring emerges. Other ideas include taking care of a house plant or noticing any trees, flowers or animals nearby.
This last year many people turned to nature to help get through the lockdowns. Research shows that one's mental health benefits from an ability to connect with nature. Furthermore, a connection with nature has power to aid recovery from poor mental health and prevent the deterioration of one's mental health in the first place.
Dr Andy Knox, Director of Population Health and Engagement for Bay Health and Care Partners and an Executive GP for Morecambe Bay CCG said: “Looking after our mental health has never been more important. The pandemic has been challenging for us all and people’s mental health will have been affected in various ways.
“I’ve no doubt that the psychological impacts of the pandemic will last longer than the physical symptoms of the virus, as we eventually come out of lockdown in the summer. Nature has played a massive part in helping people get through this time and will continue to do so.
“I encourage everyone in our local communities to get out as much as possible in the fresh air, to look around and absorb the beauty that springtime offers us. This will undoubtedly boost your mood; make you feel good and lift your spirits”.
Within Morecambe Bay we are always keen to help anyone struggling with their mental health and now more than ever people will need support. With this is in mind Dr Andy Knox has developed a short video where he identifies the key things we should all be doing to help our mental health and wellbeing during this time such as:
• Asking for help
• Breathing techniques
• Connecting with people
• Developing a daily routine
• Eating well and exercising
• Having focus and taking one day at a time
• Having gratitude
Watch the 7 tips for mental health video here.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, why not try to make a habit each day of connecting to the nature in your local area.
Find out about the mental health support available in Lancashire and South Cumbria.