Why connecting with nature is important to me

As an artist working in the field of arts and health I have witnessed many examples of people improving their own sense of wellbeing through creative projects - perhaps gaining a sense of vitality, feeling useful, being proud of their achievements or being able to see things differently through being exposed to new ideas and possibilities. At times my work has been emotionally, mentally and physically challenging - and I’ve always turned to nature for comfort and solace.

It really is reassuring to walk through a woodland and fall into step with a world that is comfortable with itself and makes no demands - nature knows exactly what it should be doing, whether that’s squirrels hiding caches of nuts in the autumn, stoats in their winter coats in the snow winter or birds staking out territories in the spring.

Over recent years I have worked with researchers and practitioners developing a better understanding of why nature connectedness is important to wellbeing and how to support people to cultivate this sense of connection. My artist instincts are never far from the surface, always looking for quirky and playful ways to capture people’s imagination, but more than anything I believe my work is about giving people permission to slow down, notice the flow of thoughts and feelings as they interact with the sensory prompts from nature and make their own discoveries.

Through a gradual process of carefully observing and listening to people in nature I am able to encourage them to follow their own fascination and curiosity, noticing what they are drawn towards.

With ongoing pressures on our health and social care systems, there is no better time to recognise the powerful contribution the creativity and connection to nature can make to our health and wellbeing. So next time you notice the urge to linger and soak in the view, or watch the light play on a cobweb, remember it’s clinically proven that attending to nature is good for you.