A review by Natural England of projects which set out to achieve greater involvement by people, in the natural environment, has identified a number of key benefits for participants’ mental health. The review spanned activities such as therapeutic gardening, food growing and environmental conservation work. Groups taking part were drawn from both the general population and those who were already experiencing mental health problems.
Benefits identified included: improvements in depression, anxiety and stress related symptoms; improvements in dementia-related symptoms; improved self-esteem, confidence, happiness, satisfaction, mood and quality of life; increased attention capacity and cognition; sense of peace, calm or relaxation; increased social contact, sense of belonging and personal achievement.
(A review of nature-based interventions for mental health care. Natural England Commissioned Report NECR204, uploaded 9 February 2016.)
Author: Robin Costello
I offer traditional Chinese acupuncture in Exeter, from a tranquil clinic a mile from the city centre, and next to the University of Exeter. I graduated originally from the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s 3 year full time Acupuncture Diploma (DipAc) course. I am on the practitioners register of the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC), a regulatory and professional body with an entry standard of a full three year undergraduate degree level training.
I have worked in a hospital in south west China, deepening my knowledge and using acupuncture and Chinese massage (tuina) as the treatment of choice in its country of origin. I have taught Chinese medicine in colleges, the NHS and at university level. I also practise Qi Gong, and Chinese dietary therapy, that is the medicinal use of ordinary foods, chosen to help achieve particular therapeutic effects in different individuals.
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