Green health prescribing with Health in Mind:
“I have been happier within myself”
A Green Health Prescription is a new form of prescription. Alongside other, traditional, treatments your health professional may prescribe spending time outdoors. We wanted to shine a spotlight on a service that uses time spent in nature as way keeping well.
We reached out to Ross from Health in Mind to hear about the work they do.
Do you live and/or work in Midlothian and want to share your own experiences of mental health and wellbeing and the different ways keep you well?
Health in Mind, Green and Active Groups provide space for people to use nature and the outdoors as part of their recovery journey.
Being outdoors allows us to be present, reducing anxiety. Daylight is great for helping with relaxation, resetting our internal clock to help with sleep and improving general mood.
There is space for reflection, and opportunity to be present and grounded, taking notice of the wildlife, flora, and fauna around us.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” John Muir.
Here are some of the outdoor groups provided by Health in Mind:
Read what people enjoyed most about the sessions:
“Getting outdoors, the sound of the river & birds, cool breeze on my face, being in nature”.
“Meeting new people and chatting as we walked and getting to know them. Also learning about the different trees and growing plants”.
“Being outside and being around different people”.
“Ross’ knowledge of nature”.
“I have been happier within myself, even my husband has noticed a shift in my mood. I hope to join the peer gardening group and I am also considering applying as a volunteer”.
“I’ve learned loads about nature, things that you wouldn’t believe. Its an AMAZING WORLD!”