Have you tried nature journallism? Here are the benefits
Boosting creativity, improving wellbeing, and creating deeper connections are just some of the benefits of nature journalling.
You don’t need to be an expert writer, or an amazing artist to enjoy this activity, which is why it’s such a great way to take time for yourself and improve your wellbeing. Take a look:
Deeper connections
Jotting down your thoughts and feelings whilst out in nature can help with your understanding of the outside world, alongside bettering your connection with nature and all that it has to offer.
Not only that, it can also be a great socialising activity, connecting people with people.
Beat the stress
This activity can also make us feel good because we’re taking a break from everyday life to practice self-care. In the UK, 1 in 4 of us experience poor mental health each year, and WWT research shows just ten minutes in a wetland setting can lead to an increase in positive feelings.
Imagine you’re sitting by a lake, with the tweeting of birds and gentle breeze filling the air, and swans and geese are flying high in the sky. It’s no wonder it makes us feel good!
Learn new things
Observing the natural world will help us to learn new things. We can see animals' natural behaviours, the changing landscape of different seasons, and just how nature works. You never know what to expect!
Let out your creativity
The best part about nature journalling is that you don’t need to be a talented artist or be brilliant at grammar, spelling, or punctuation. This is about you and how nature makes you feel. It is completely subjective and encourages you to put your feelings, questions, or observations onto the page with words, drawings, or numbers.
Sarah Hunter, writer and poet, speaks about the benefits of nature journallism:
“Spending time in nature always makes me feel so relaxed, but in a very different way than a night in watching the telly. I feel restored, and that’s a big and important word. We’re always being told that we need to practice self-care and take the time to rest and replenish, and that is absolutely right.
"But there is self-care and there is self-care. Some work at deeper, more profound levels than others. And I would certainly put nature journalling in the deeper category.
"Time outdoors doesn’t have to mean a great big hike up a mountain or bagging a Wainwright, it can be as simple as allowing ourselves to absorb the amazing spectacle that Mother Nature puts on for us every moment of every single day.
Just sitting and soaking it all in.”
Nature journalling workshop at WWT Martin Mere
Inspired by the idea of nature journalling? Sarah Hunter is running a Nature Journalling workshop on Saturday 18 May at WWT Martin Mere, inviting people to have a wonderfully mindful experience that she believes will change the way the world makes you feel, for the better. Book your place.