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Exploring Nature

Exploring and connecting with nature can be good for physical and mental health. The beauty and wonder of nature can help relieve any stress or anxiety you might be going through. There are excellent resources and activities about nature's effect on the mind.

Featuring…

Getting Outside

Let us start with a short YouTube video from UNC Health, explaining all the essential things about getting outside occasionally. The video explains how the human mind can become overwhelmed if stressful things are happening and how taking a short walk or hike can be a source of comfort.

Connecting With Nature

Studies support the idea of nature bringing peace to your mind. This article from the Mental Health Foundation, a British mental health foundation, has done studies on the mental health of people surrounded by nature, compared to the health of those living in large cities like London. On average, those living in nature reported higher confidence levels, less anxiety over the COVID pandemic, and a greater sense of freedom than those in cities with little to no nature.

Our last resource for this week is a list of fun activities inspired by nature. The Natural History Museum in the U.K has made a list of thirty activities that anyone can do at home. Either outside on a sunny day or inside when the weather turns bad. These activities range from making a journal about what you find in nature, building birdbaths, and turning food scraps into compost or fertilizer! There are more fun activities on the list.

Do you like to explore nature? Do you think it's good for stress relief? Let us know in the comments below! For youth and young adults, ages 13-26, join us on the SPAN Youth Chat on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:00 PM.

Resources...

Link to SPAN's website: www.spanadvocacy.org
Link to SPAN's Youth in the Know Resource Page: Youth in the Know
We're here for you! Call SPAN if you need assistance: 1-800-654-7726

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