<
https://www.positive.news/lifestyle/woodland-walks-cut-anxiety-study-finds/>
"Participants who followed self-led woodland wellbeing trails reported a 38%
drop in rumination, a 31% reduction in anxiety and a 20% rise in feelings of
social connection, according to research examining Forestry England’s
nature-based mental health programme.
The trails, designed to encourage people to slow down and engage more deeply
with the natural world, are now installed at 18 Forestry England sites across
the country. They feature simple prompts inviting walkers to pause, notice
their surroundings and reflect on their relationship with nature.
The idea grew from a small moment during the Covid pandemic. As the UK emerged
from lockdowns, Ellen Devine, wellbeing programme manager at Forestry England,
came across a handwritten chalkboard sign at Westonbirt Arboretum carrying a
message for people walking among the trees.
“It said something along the lines of, ‘we can’t be together at the moment
because of the Covid restrictions, but know that you’re not alone, and you’re
always welcome here amongst the trees’,” Devine recalls.
“I was having quite a difficult time, and it made me feel that little bit
better.” The moment inspired a series of self-led well-being trails launched in
2023. Designed to prompt people to slow down and reflect, the routes feature
themed panels offering woodland facts, quotations and simple mindfulness
activities.
To shape them, Devine worked with the University of Derby’s Nature
Connectedness Research Group, alongside charities including Mind and
Samaritans."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
