Engaging with Nature Boosts Mental Health Well-being

Engaging with Nature Boosts Mental Health Well-being

Unleashing Nature's Healing Powers

Hey there! Ever experienced the sheer bliss of a sunlit day or the invigorating fresh air during a mountain hike? Well, you've just tasted the magic of nature's soothing effects on your mental and physical health.

" folks already feel the restorative allure of nature, but it's crucial we understand the science behind these benefits," Dr. Sharon Stokes-Williamson, Health Program Director at NEEF, says. "Understanding what we're experiencing can be the first step towards improved well-being."

There's a plethora of research suggesting that green spaces can do wonders for our mental health, benefit children with ADHD, lower emotional dysregulation, aggression, and even aid former soldiers grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)!

To encourage more people to reap the benefits of nature, NEEF, together with the USDA Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS), developed a Health & Wellness engagement guide packed with practical tips on using nature to boost well-being. It also sheds light on lesser-known activities like forest bathing, an internationally popular practice yet less known in the U.S.

Climate Change's Impact on Mental Health

NEEF's Climate Mental Health Initiative aims to connect healthcare professionals and educators with resources to utilize green spaces as mental wellness tools. This project amplifies NEEF's previous work, such as the Greening STEM approach that makes environmental education more accessible, relevant, and a part of our daily lives.

As climate change intensifies and communities face increasing, direct impacts, mental health issues are seldom far behind. Extreme weather events can have lasting effects on mental health, particularly in young people.

ACE Emotional Support in Climate Education

More students are growing up in the age of climate change, a lived reality rather than a distant threat. This staggering reality demands that our classrooms adapt to support students' emotional needs.

To bridge this gap, NEEF and the Climate Mental Health Network co-developed the Climate Emotions Toolkit for Educators, the first evidence-based, educator-approved resource focusing on addressing the emotional dimensions of climate change in the classroom. It offers activities, mindfulness resources, and reflection tools to address both students' well-being and educators' mental health.

According to a 2024 pilot study, 83% of teachers say their school communities have been affected by extreme weather events. The overwhelming majority (98%) of teachers surveyed say they've encountered students' emotional reactions while teaching climate-related subjects, yet many feel ill-equipped to offer support. The Climate Emotions Toolkit addresses this urgent need with educator-friendly resources.

"Managing our emotions is crucial before we can help others do the same," remarks Dr. Stokes-Williamson, reflecting on insights shared during a recent climate emotions webinar. "Emotional resilience starts with self-awareness, and acknowledging these feelings is the first step to addressing them effectively."

These tools not only help students name and normalize their feelings but also encourage engagement and hopefulness - essential ingredients for navigating an uncertain future. By blending emotional awareness with scientific understanding, the Climate Emotions Toolkit has become a go-to resource for educators dedicated to creating empathetic, responsive learning environments.

Making a Difference in the Classroom

Early feedback from educators has been extremely positive. All users (100%) of the Climate Emotions Toolkit said they would recommend it to a colleague, and 97% said they are likely to use the activities again. As one New Jersey teacher shared, "The activities prompted my students to think about their feelings productively and meaningfully, aiding me in better understanding each student."

Perhaps most importantly, the toolkit underscores an essential message: fear, sadness, or anxiety related to the environment are indications that students care deeply about the planet and are eager to protect it. These feelings should be seen as invitations to deeper reflection, greater compassion, and more purposeful action, not obstacles to learning.

By emphasizing emotional wellness alongside science education, the Climate Emotions Toolkit arms students and educators alike with the tools needed to confront today's environmental challenges with resilience, purpose, and hope.

"Taking time to unwind in nature, even for a brief moment, can help reset your perspective and promote emotional balance," Dr. Stokes-Williamson reiterates. "Prioritizing self-care isn't selfish – it's essential, especially in the face of chronic stressors like climate change."

Explore More about the Power of Nature and Environmental Education

Fancy experiencing the many health benefits of the great outdoors for yourself? Remember: reconnecting with nature is personal, and one size doesn't fit all.

Here are some environmental education resources to help you weave nature into classroom lessons, healthcare routines, and daily life:

• Public Lands Engagement - Health & Wellness Guide: Tips from experts on planning and executing successful health and wellness activities on all manner of public lands.
• Nature Champion Online Course: A free, self-paced training program for healthcare providers and mental health professionals to "prescribe nature," especially for under-resourced communities, and connect families with the outdoors.
• Benefits of Environmental Education: Environmental education can benefit students by enhancing academic growth, fostering conservation, and integrating academic disciplines (citing specific academic sources).
• Start a Community Garden to Foster Healthy Eating and Strong Neighborhood Connections: Learn how community gardens can boost access to nutritious food, encourage social bonds, and provide healing green spaces, especially in underserved areas.

1. Dr. Sharon Stokes-Williamson underscores the importance of understanding the science behind nature's healing effects on mental and physical health, citing benefits such as lowering emotional dysregulation, aggression, and aiding former soldiers with PTSD.
2. To encourage more people to reap the benefits of nature, a Health & Wellness engagement guide has been developed by NEEF, USDA Forest Service (USFS), and National Park Service (NPS), featuring practical tips and promoting lesser-known activities like forest bathing.
3. NEEF's Climate Mental Health Initiative aims to connect healthcare professionals and educators with resources to utilize green spaces as mental wellness tools, extending NEEF's Greening STEM approach that makes environmental education more accessible, relevant, and a part of our daily lives.
4. As climate change intensifies, mental health issues are increasingly prevalent, with extreme weather events having lasting effects on mental health, particularly young people.
5. To address the emotional dimensions of climate change in the classroom, NEEF and the Climate Mental Health Network co-developed the Climate Emotions Toolkit for Educators, offering activities, mindfulness resources, and reflection tools to address both students' well-being and educators' mental health.
6. A 2024 pilot study revealed that 83% of teachers say their school communities have been affected by extreme weather events, and 98% have encountered students' emotional reactions while teaching climate-related subjects, highlighting the urgent need for resources like the Climate Emotions Toolkit.
7. By emphasizing emotional wellness alongside science education, the Climate Emotions Toolkit arms students and educators with the tools needed to confront today's environmental challenges with resilience, purpose, and hope, underscoring the idea that fear, sadness, or anxiety related to the environment are indications of students' deep concern for the planet and their eagerness to protect it.

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