Five Ways to Wellbeing in Nature

As life becomes busier, we’re realising how important it is to protect our mental health and wellbeing. The Five Ways to Wellbeing in Nature are easy ways to look after your mental wellbeing no matter where you are or what time it is, and in a way that suits you. The five simple actions are – Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice and Give.

Evidence shows that spending time in nature makes us feel healthier, happier and more optimistic. With this in mind, nature is the ideal place to practice these five actions.

If you need some inspiration about how to incorporate these actions into your daily life, here are some ideas:

Connect – Make time for people and enjoy the world around you.

Connecting with family, friends, or people in your community will give you a sense of belonging. Why not spend time with them in nature? Go for a walk with a friend, share a picnic in your local park, meet new people at a community event or spend time in the backyard with your family.

Be Active – Move your body and breathe in the fresh air.

Being active and moving your body helps you stay fit and healthy, both mentally and physically. There are so many ways that you can be active in nature. It’s as easy as a walk in the park.

Keep Learning –Be curious about nature and discover something new.

Learning new things and challenging your mind will give you a sense of achievement. Learn something new regularly. Discover new things in nature, or in your own backyard. Why not learn how to grow your own food?

Take Notice–Find a moment to take in the beauty of nature.

Taking notice and slowing down helps you to feel calm and relaxed. Learn to enjoy each moment. Take in the beauty of the natural world around you. Look out for the colours of the trees changing with the seasons, or listen for birds singing early in the morning.

Give – Do something nice for someone. Do something nice for the environment.

Give what you can. It can be as simple as your time, your expertise or something from your garden. You can also give on a bigger scale by caring for the environment.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing in Nature is a joint initiative of SA Health and the department, and is part of the broader Healthy Parks Healthy People program. Find out more about how you can practice the 5 Ways to Wellbeing in Nature.

This campaign is an adaption of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, developed in the UK by the New Economics Foundation.