JAA Media Assistant Hayden Chappell explores the often-overlooked benefits that UK woodlands offer for mental health. Highlighting the positive impacts of physical activity, ecotherapy, and community connections, these natural spaces serve as valuable mental health resources…
Academics and activists alike will tell you that an often disregarded area of discussion involving our UK woodlands, is the positive impact they can have on our mental health. The complex and interactive relationship of ecosystems and human well-being is poorly acknowledged in broader social, philosophical, and psychological literature. In short, woodlands represent a widely accessible, high quality mental health resource, available for little to no cost. And in turn, these should be protected and maintained to the best of our collective ability, for the wider societal good.
Physical Activity informing Mental Wellbeing
An inherent benefit of finding yourself in the woodlands is that the majority of the time you’ll be involved in some form of physical activity, whether that be a stroll, hike, or even a jog, if you’re showing off. Whatever form it takes, exercise isn’t just good for your body, it’s also beneficial for your mind. Some of the benefits of regular exercise include reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, enhancing memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Creating long-term outdoor exercise habits, no matter the intensity, can act as the foundation for making a long-term positive impact. Woodland areas can act as the arena in which that change can take place.
Get involved with some of these initiatives, including The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers’ “Green Gym” project, as well as the NHS project supporting tree planting and other health benefits of woodlands. The Forestry Commission maintains many high-quality cycling trails, often providing cycle hire at its visitor centres. You can easily find sites where these initiatives are supported, using the Woodland Trust website’s ‘find a wood’ tool.
Psychological benefits and eco therapy
Spending time in woodlands has been shown to have a general ‘refreshing’ or ‘relaxing’ effect on the mind. If you consider this a vague take, more tangible benefits include reduced stress, increased levels of happiness, and boosted recovery times. There is a growing cohort of ‘eco therapists’, consisting of psychotherapists, life coaches and physical trainers who buy into the benefits of using woodlands as a tool for mental wellbeing. They’ve created a powerful societal voice advocating for the importance of protecting, conserving, and growing the UK’s woodland areas. Their mission? To ensure these benefits are realised as widely as possible.
Societal benefits and community aspects
The societal benefits become truly apparent when we examine the value of woodland areas, in the wider psychological context of the UK. Forest Research found that visits to the UK’s woodlands is estimated to save £185 million in mental health treatment costs annually. This can be equated to roughly what the Government invested in all mental health services between 2020 and 2021. Looking through the lens of the UK’s current mental health support system, woodlands represent an invaluable resource for the nations collective psyche. This stems from both their utility to individuals, and the greater role they play in the healthcare system.
Summary
Our UK woodlands are more than just landscapes, they are sanctuaries for our mental health, offering accessible avenues for exercise, peace, and a sense of belonging. Protecting these green spaces isn’t just an environmental duty – it’s an investment in our collective well-being. As we continue to navigate the pressures of modern life, preserving and engaging with these natural refuges may be one of the most powerful ways we can support the long-term health our society.🌳
