The benefits of being in nature are well documented.
When it comes to movement, we are more likely to experience exercise as restorative when in green environments and blue spaces, compared to exercising in built outdoor environments (Kajosaari and Pasanen 2021).
What if your mental health makes being active outdoors difficult, however?
If you feel you need some extra support to move more outdoors, here are some ideas…
Green Gyms
Offer free, outdoor volunteering sessions across the UK, transforming green spaces.
Peer support groups IRL and online, run by people with lived experience of mental health issues, meeting regularly to walk, connect and share without fear or judgement.
Many local councils now run “wellbeing walks” – these typically involve shorter distances, with the option to join longer walks if you wish. Check your local council website for further information.
The Ramblers Association also facilitate Wellbeing Walk Groups.
Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) has details of green spaces accessible by those with restricted mobility, wheelchair, pushchair and mobility scooter users. Go to:
Spending time outdoors with other living creatures can be very beneficial for our mental health. Wildlife events can encourage movement, whilst providing a focus other than exercise. If you don’t have a garden, try visiting a local park or urban green / blue space.
The Big Garden Bird Watch takes place in January each year:
“The kitchen is a place of solace, where problems are solved.”
Nadiya Hussain (British Chef)
“I just had an instinct that it [comedy] was the right thing to do.
It felt so natural to just talk to people and know there’s only going to be maybe two or three reactions – they’d laugh, get angry, or just stare me out.”
Fern Brady (Scottish Comedienne)
“Getting away from everything, sniffing about on my own, was not only fuelling that curiosity and funding that fascination for nature. It was also giving me that comfort zone.”
Chris Packham (British naturalist & presenter)
“I like going to the gym every day.”
Frank Bruno (British former professional boxer)
Answer: All the above public figures have spoken openly about their mental health & all are describing occupations that are important to them.
What are Occupations?
Occupations are the activities that we need, want, or like to do, and give meaning, value & purpose to our lives.
Occupations and Mental Health
Changes in our mental health can mean we may struggle or feel unable to carry out our usual occupations.
For example, if we experience low mood, we may feel less motivated than usual, or if feeling stressed, we may find it difficult to concentrate and focus on what we need to do.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists support people to overcome challenges completing occupations, whilst ensuring you have the skills needed to do them. We also consider how the environment around you is impacting on this.
This may include adapting familiar occupations or together, identifying new ones.
Occupational Therapists offer an individual, holistic and person-centred approach, meaning that we will work towards what is important for you in a way that feels right for you.
Conversations with members of the childless community identified the following examples of supportive steps that a workplace can take:
If someone is TTC (trying to conceive), are policies supportive?
Staff undergoing fertility treatment may be required to take sick leave or annual leave for appointments & recovery time. This can result in work/life balance being even more difficult to achieve during an emotionally & physically demanding time. Also consider what an employee might need if treatment is unsuccessful.
More awareness (especially in all female teams) of how making children / motherhood the focus of team “chat” can result in childless staff members feeling side-lined.
If a team member is visiting to introduce their new baby, consider facilitating this away from the main / open plan office. This enables existing staff to have choice regarding their involvement. If this isn’t possible, arranging a specific time can again facilitate choice.
On a similar note, recognition that not all team members will feel able to / want to attend “baby showers” or similar such events.
Ensure that policies & practices are inclusive of staff members with caring responsibilities not involving parenthood. It is not uncommon, for example, for a care package to be cancelled or changed with little notice. How might this impact a member of your team?
Everyone’s lives, inside & outside of work, matter.
Further Information
World Childless Week – Further information about childlessness in the workplace and creating positive change can be found on the website
This may seem like a harmless conversation opener, but for some it can touch on some very painful experiences.
A few facts …
One fifth of British people AFAB (assigned female at birth) will not have had a child by their early 40’s.
One quarter of British people AMAB (assigned male at birth) over 42 will not have had a child.
Terminology:
“Childfree” Usually refers to someone who has actively chosen not to have children
“Childless” Someone who wants or wished to have a child but can’t / couldn’t
Sometimes referred to as “childless not by choice”
Some find the term “childless” offensive as it implies you are “less” because you haven’t had a child
Another term used within the childless community is NOMO – not a mother
“Social infertility” or “circumstantial infertility”
This refers to people who, through no medical reason, have not had children e.g. they haven’t met a partner
A few reasons why some people may be childless:
Fertility treatment didn’t succeed
Miscarriage or stillbirth
Partner didn’t want to have children
Partner already has children (& didn’t want to have another child)
Physical health (self / partner)
Mental health (self / partner)
Cancer treatment
Early menopause
Abusive relationship
No obvious reason found (described as “unexplained infertility’)
Things to avoid saying:
“I know it will work out for you” (this might seem well intentioned, but none of us know the future, & we risk not hearing someone’s experience)
“At least you get to have regular lie-ins / cheaper holidays / lots of free time” (consolation prizes don’t exist)
“You don’t truly know love until you’ve had a child” (love is love & takes many forms)
“You could always adopt” (adoption for many is emotionally complex & the need to be biologically linked to a child can be very strong)
Things to consider:
Pets or “fur babies” can be hugely important to someone who is childless & can be life enhancing.
Someone who is childless may still have significant caring responsibilities (& within some families, it can be assumed that a childless family member is free to step up).
“Parent” can also be a verb – to care about & nurture the welfare of another human being or animal is something many people value doing & can be a fundamental part of who they are.
The childless community is diverse with needs that can differ.
Further information:
Communities
The Childless Collective A community for childless people, including the opportunity to cultivate new friendships
The benefits of spending time in nature on mental and physical wellbeing are well documented.
However, what if this is difficult to do? It appears that there are various ways of benefitting from the natural environment.
One research study in the Netherlands found that participants viewing images of urban scenes that included “green stimulus” (images of nature) had lower stress levels compared to participants viewing images that didn’t include nature.
In Australia, a study in which houseplants were introduced to office environments was found to boost happiness, and productivity levels rose up to 15%.
Ways to get green stimulus into your life:
**Consider having a houseplant or two within your living space & if you work, within the space you spend most time
**Try placing nature/green images (photos. postcards, greetings cards, posters) around your living space or, for smart phone users, try creating a folder of nature / green images
**Consider changing your wallpaper and/or screensaver to nature / green images if you regularly use a laptop or other device
**If you are struggling to access nature, many local areas & parks run projects to support people to access the outdoors – this might include ‘Wellbeing Walks’ or other outdoor activities
**To find a green space or park local to you, the Fields in Trust website has a “Fields Finder”
**Many local parks also contain outdoor gyms. Find your local one via the Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO)
**The Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) website has information about UK accessible spaces (primarily aimed at those with mobility needs, their carers and families).
