Talking openly about our own mental health can be difficult, especially within the work place. However, there are now many organisations working towards building a society in which we can support, empower and improve the lives of anyone experiencing mental health problems.

First started 21 years ago by The Mental Health Foundation, the awareness week aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health, whilst working towards finding practical solutions and steps we can take as individuals and as a society to improve and protect everyone's wellbeing.

It's well known that nature and spending time outdoors can be hugely beneficial for our overall wellbeing, as supported by the rise in NHS green social prescribing within the UK. So here at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust we feel incredibly grateful to work within an organisation that understands this importance and that is actively working towards ensuring everyone has the right to access nature.

Meet Sue Fysh our Senior Community Officer as well as a qualified mindfulness teacher. 

We asked Sue for her top tips on how to look after our own wellbeing whilst connecting with the natural world around us, here's what she had to say.

"Whether we are worrying about our own or loved ones’ health, how we are going to pay rising energy and food bills, or the ever present environmental crisis, it all takes its toll on our wellbeing.

However, there are a few things that we can do to help ourselves and those around us cope a little bit better when things feel out of perspective.

1) Be understanding of yourself. It is ok to get upset about what is happening around us.

2) We always have a choice.  We can choose to understand that we are upset and choose to undertake some simple actions to get things back into perspective.

3) By being compassionate to ourselves we are much more able to be compassionate with other people and even with nature.

Nature plays a big part in helping me keep a bit more balanced.  Just finding a few minutes to go outside and look up at the clouds in the sky, notice the breeze in the tops of trees or listen to the sounds of nature a few times during the day helps me regain perspective.

However, sometimes that is not possible, for example whilst we are at work, so the following 5-minute exercise is specifically designed to be done during breaks in our working day."

A Mindful Moment

This activity can be done at your desk or better still, away from it for a few minutes.

Make yourself a drink and savour every moment of the act of drinking it.  Be curious about it, as if this is the first time you have had this type of drink.

Ask yourself a few questions to engage all your senses in the experience:-

Sight

• What does the drink look like in the cup, glass or mug?
• What colours can you see?
• Does the light shine through it?
• Can you see steam rising from the surface?
• Are there ripples?

Smell

• Is there a smell?
• If so, can you identify different elements in the aroma eg berries or citrus smells? 
• Does the smell entice you to take a sip?

Sound

• Is there a noise coming from your drink eg fizzing?
• Does your cup, glass or mug make a sound if you tap it?

Touch

• What does your cup, mug or glass feel like?
• Is it smooth or rough?
• What temperature is it eg cool, comforting, too hot?

Taste

• What does the drink really taste like?
• Is there more than one flavour eg sweet, savoury?
• Does it quench your thirst?
• How does it make you feel eg refreshed, warm, more alert?

If, at any time, your mind wanders, just notice it and then bring your attention back to your drink.

Enjoy and savour all the details for a few minutes or a bit longer if you choose.

This exercise helps to give your brain a break a few moments respite from its relentless activity.  Whilst you are paying close attention to something, you are not able to worry or feel overwhelmed. It is also likely that your heart rate has slowed down a bit, your blood pressure reduced and your breathing deepened.

Try and fit a few of these mindful moments into your day to keep a little bit of balance in your life. With 30 Days Wild sign ups now open, why not pledge to take time out in nature everyday throughout June. For inspiration and ideas on things you can do, sign up for your free starter pack.