Volunteering in Nature: How to Give Your Mind & Body a Breath of Fresh Air

Posted On September 16, 2021

Written by: Elle Schillereff
September 15th 2021

We live in a noisy world. A world that has moved online.

We are constantly bombarded with information, bad news, notifications and adverts. Adverts that promise you better health, greater happiness, whiter teeth, greener choices…

It can be utterly overwhelming…addictive…parasitic of your precious energy.

SOCIAL MEDIA & YOUR BRAIN

Social media can be a wonderful tool, opening up networking opportunities and keeping us connected (especially during this last year) that didn’t exist even twenty years ago!

However, studies show that social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc) are intentionally set up to produce the same neurological responses as gambling!

Receiving online likes and shares causes the brain to release dopamine, the “reward” chemical for the body. Consumers crave that dopamine and feel compelled to return again and again.

Exposure to graphic content or the “perfect” lives of social media influencers has also been shown to cause body shame, depression, suicide, self harm…the list goes on and on.

UNDERSTANDING SCREEN TIME

Additionally, excessive screen time at night can throw off your Circadian rhythm as your brain registers the screen light, thinks it’s still day time and hinders the release of melatonin that is needed for sleep.

And I for one know profoundly well what sleep deprivation does to my mental health. I’m sure we all do.

Having information at our fingertips is a wonderful privilege, but it can become all consuming.

It is unsurprising that all this can manifest into a terrible mental weight. But what to do about it?

VOLUNTEERING IN NATURE: THE FACTS

Our recent isolation has been profound. As the world slowly reopens, there is a blossoming chance to perhaps leave the keyboard and the screen, to step outside, re-establish community, talk face to face with like minded people, as well as to talk to people different to you, who see the world from a different perspective.

And one exquisitely simple way to do this is volunteering in nature.

Perhaps what you crave is to dig your hands into fresh, cool soil; to see, hear and smell the natural world away from the blue light of your laptop screen.

It’s all about balance. Because let’s be honest, we all work, we have commitments, we have a limit to our time and energy, but even a couple of hours at the weekend planting trees, surveying baby birds, having that hands on time with the earth could be the precious relief you need in your busy schedule.

Findings by Borders Forest Trust showed:
That volunteering in nature increased people’s fitness, alertness and concentration, which is unsurprising as any physical activity produces the feel-good hormones dopamine and endorphins, as well as promoting more blood flow and therefore more fresh oxygen to the brain.
That being in nature gave people a common language, regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, physical ability or religion
That people volunteer not only because of environmental concerns but for personal reasons because they wish to forge links, make friends or feel less lonely.
That there is something for everyone, regardless of age, ability or knowledge
That volunteering has holistic benefits for the body and the mind and increases general feelings of wellbeing
Equally, a study done by the University of Essex for the Wildlife Trust, showed that “95% of (139) participants who were identified as having poor levels of mental health at the start, reported an improvement in 6 weeks, which increased further over 12 weeks”.
START SMALL. START LOCAL

So, yes, volunteering in nature has been proven to have beneficial effects on your body and mind.

But also, perhaps it seems daunting to step outside, especially with the pandemic still lingering. Perhaps the idea of interacting with people terrifies you!

Start small. Consider doing an introductory workshop, or just an hour or two if you’re nervous about reintegrating with group events, or if you have anxiety or depression and find social interactions difficult.

Think about what you want from your time in nature, as well as what community projects or charities you would like to help.

Start local. See what’s happening in your community. Not only would you be helping your local area but it’s also a way of forging strong friendships and creating a thriving network that you can access in person at the drop of a hat.

SMALL STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Replace the ping of notifications for the sound of bird song, breathe some fresh oxygen into your lungs and brain and get your body moving, while making positive ripples for someone you now know, for your community, even a small step in the right direction for your planet.

If you live in the vicinity of Pen-y-garnedd in Powys, Wales, there are volunteering opportunities aplenty at Dolydd Gobaith, our brand new community farm and nature reserve.

Dolydd Gobaith (meaning ‘Meadows of Hope’ in English) is a community interest company set up in September 2020.

With our 26 acres of barren upland pasture we have many, many goals, notably to:
improve biodiversity
combat climate change
grow various habitats including wetlands, woodlands and meadows
create an educational space for people to learn about all aspects of the natural world, run by experts in their field.
A safe haven for people to simply be in nature and observe the astonishing things that happen there.

For more information on how to volunteer, whether you wish to plant hedges, put up bat boxes or participate in wildlife surveys, please email: [email protected].

Keep an eye on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/dolydd-gobaith for upcoming workshops and feel free to attend our Open Day on Saturday, September 18th from 10am – 4pm