When Lockdown was first introduced and the roads fell quiet, many of us experienced a new-found connection with nature. Hearing birdsong and seeing plants and wildlife flourish gave many people the boost they needed to pull through such uncertain times. It is therefore apt that the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs 10-16 May, is nature.

According to research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic, going for walks and enjoying the great outdoors was amongst the top coping strategies. In fact, 45% of people reported that being in green spaces had been vital for their mental health.

Boost the mental health of your team by connecting with nature

The Occupational Healthcare experts at YourGP believe there is a lot to be said of this connection between nature and mental health. We have seen first-hand how it can help to inspire creativity, increase focus, and reduce stress in the workplace. And that is why we positively encourage businesses to help their employees connect with nature in new ways, and recognise the positive impact these new connections can have on their mental health.

Simple ways to connect with nature in the workplace

There are endless ways to help your team build a connection with nature. A few suggestions include:

• Introduce plants in the office and encourage team members to care for them
• Turn off the radio and open the windows to listen for birdsong
• Encourage employees to walk or cycle to work when possible
• Lead by example and enjoy lunch breaks outside
• Organise an outdoor team-building activity – a hike up a hill or an adventure in the woods is sure to be a hit!

What more can you do to safeguard mental health in the workplace?

Following the suggestions above can help to make a difference to the mental health of your team. However, there may of course still be occasions when personal circumstances or workplace stress can overwhelm individuals, which can lead to recurrent short-term employee absence or long-term sickness absence. Providing the right support in these circumstances is crucial.

Occupational Healthcare from YourGP

YourGP’s Occupational Healthcare experts can assist employees facing a situation which may be affecting their mental health and help to reduce the frequency and duration of any potential sickness absence.

We can also help employers provide a safe return to work for employees currently on long-term sickness leave, working together to formulate rehabilitation plans that include Equality Act considerations.

Ultimately, our independent medical advice can help employers make informed management decisions, and give employees a better chance of getting back to full health quicker.

Want to know more about mental health in the workplace?

To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week and how you and your team could benefit from connecting with nature, head to www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week.

If you would like to discuss ways in which you can make mental health a priority in the workplace, get in touch with YourGP’s team of Occupational Health specialists on 0131 225 5656 or email occhealth@your.gp.