Nature

Green country walk © Natural England

We all know instinctively that a walk somewhere green will clear our head, provide inspiration or help to deal with stress.  But it's only recently that health organisations have begun to take the healing effect of nature seriously.  More than just a venue for exercise, the natural world can also help alleviate mental health problems and lift the spirit.  Conversely, pollution of nature is linked to allergies and other illnesses. 

We bring together fascinating perspectives on these issues from scientists and doctors and examining the latest research demonstrating that our health is inextricably interlinked with the natural world.   

The Natural Health Service

Dr William Bird is Strategic Health Advisor to Natural England, an environment body that works to enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife and to promote access, recreation and public well-being.  Here he explains why the NHS is becoming interested in the connection between nature and health.

Ecotherapy

In 2007 Mind, the mental health charity, ran a campaign to highlight the benefits of 'ecotherapy'.  This approach allows people with long-term mental distress to do useful work in a natural setting.  Dr Marcus Roberts, Mind's policy manager, spoke to us about it.

Getting back to the garden

Jochen Encke, a psychotherapist with the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture talks about his work on London allotments with refugee torture survivors.

Nature news

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