Children’s Mental Health Week blog: The Power of Nature
Children’s Mental Health Week ( 3rd-9th February 2025) is a great time to reflect on ways to support our mental health—and nature can be one of the best tools we have. Spending time outdoors can help us feel calmer, happier, and more positive.
The theme this year is all about nature and wellbeing, so here are some simple ways to connect with the natural world and boost your mental health.
- Listen to Nature
Find a quiet outdoor space—your garden, a park, or a community green space like Green Patch (our green space in Kettering). Close your eyes and focus on the sounds around you. Birds singing, leaves rustling, the wind blowing—it can be really calming. Tuning into these natural sounds can help you feel more present and relaxed.
- Take a Moment to Breathe
Deep breathing can help reduce stress. Step outside, breathe in fresh air, and feel the difference. Try the ‘4-4-4’ method: breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, and breathe out for four. Doing this while surrounded by nature—perhaps sitting on the grass at Green Patch—can make it even more effective.
- Experience Nature’s Impact on Your Wellbeing
Walking in a park—have you ever felt a sudden burst of energy or a deep sense of peace? Or caught a whiff of lavender that evokes an old memory? These moments are not a coincidence—that is nature at work on your mental wellbeing. The sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors can help calm your mind and bring a sense of balance.
According to Mind (Mental Health Charity), spending time in green spaces, including your local community garden, can improve your mood, reduce feelings of stress or anger, boost self-esteem, reduce loneliness, and help you feel more relaxed and connected to nature and the community. Spaces like Green Patch in Kettering provide the perfect opportunity to experience these benefits firsthand.
- Feel the Ground Beneath You
Take off your shoes if you’re in a safe place and feel the grass, soil, or sand beneath your feet. This ‘grounding’ technique can help you feel more connected to nature and bring a sense of calm
- Go on a Mindful Walk
Walk slowly and notice the colours, shapes, and textures around you. Can you spot five different shades of green? Can you find a tree with a unique pattern on its bark? Observing nature closely helps shift your focus away from worries. Green Patch is a great place to explore and discover the beauty of nature up close.
- Get Creative Outdoors
Drawing, painting, or writing in nature can be inspiring. Use leaves or twigs to make art, or write down how you feel in a notebook while sitting outside. Creative activities can be a great way to express emotions and lift your mood.
- Move Your Body
Exercise releases endorphins—natural chemicals that help you feel happier. Running, cycling, skipping, or even doing a few jumping jacks outside can boost your energy and make you feel more positive.
- Look Up at the Sky
Take a moment to watch the clouds move or gaze at the stars on a clear night. It can help you feel part of something bigger and remind you that worries come and go—just like the weather.
- Care for Nature
Planting flowers, feeding birds, or picking up litter in your local park can give you a sense of purpose. Looking after nature can help you feel good about yourself and make a positive difference in the world around you. If you’d like to get involved in a community space, Green Patch offers plenty of opportunities to connect with nature while helping to care for a special green space in Kettering.
And finally … Small Changes, Big Impact
You don’t need to go far to enjoy nature—just stepping outside for a few minutes can make a difference. Next time you feel stressed or overwhelmed, try one of these tips and notice how you feel.
Why not visit Green Patch? Spend some time outdoors, take a deep breath, and see how nature can boost your mood.