WoW Newsletter – May 2021

Welcome to the Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) – a simple framework designed to improve people’s health, happiness and wellbeing by focusing on six areas – Body, Mind, Spirit, People, Place and Planet. This monthly newsletter provides a roundup of the latest wellbeing tips, activities, research and resources to inspire better health and wellbeing. Tap into them – for yourself, your families, workplaces, schools and communities – and help create a happier world for us all!

This month we are focusing on Place: take notice, with a challenge to disconnect from our smartphones, tablets and laptops and reconnect ‘mindfully’ with nature.

Biophilia: The inborn affinity human beings have for nature

We have an innate affinity with the natural world based on an instinct for survival that draws us to places of plenty and abundance. The benefits of nature have been known for thousands of years. Greek and Roman philosophers were early advocates of nature as a ‘tonic for the mind and body’ as were ancient Indian and Chinese medical practitioners.

“Nature itself is the best physician.”
Hippocrates

In more recent times, research has shown that spending time interacting with the natural world can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and even speed up hospital patient recovery times.

The Nature Disconnect
Its widely accepted that we are becoming more disconnected from nature, and whilst urbanisation is often offered as a driving factor, a recent study suggests a different explanation: technological change. In the 1950’s television began to denominate our leisure time, the 70’s saw the emergence of video games and a subsequent increase in time spent playing these screen based activities. The advent of the internet in the 1990’s has significantly changed how we spend our leisure time pulling us more and more into a virtual world. The technological advances of the last 70 years have, in part, substituted nature as a source of recreational entertainment. So, let’s take a deep breath in, breathe out slowly and reconnect with the natural world.

WoW Days of the Month

Why not use these inspiring international days to create a focal point for wellbeing activities in your school, workplace or community.

3rd May – Garden Meditation Day

Photo by Martin Kníže on Unsplash

Garden Meditation Day encourages us to take time to truly enjoy our gardens (or those of others), calm our minds and spirits, and connect with nature. You can either go into the garden for a private moment of self-introspection or join others in organized public garden meditations all over the world.

Want to spread the love of gardening and maybe show off your garden a little? You can organize a meditation in your very own garden and invite friends and family to come join you for a day of relaxation and connection with nature, self and others.

7th May – Public Gardens day

Photo by JR Harris on Unsplash

Perhaps you don’t have a garden of your own, or even if you do, why not take the opportunity to explore a public garden or park on Public Gardens Day? From roses to chrysanthemums to tropical botanical gardens, all we have to do is go outside to a public garden or park and admire the beauty of nature. So, let’s get out there! Check out your local parks or maybe even plant your own gardens, window boxes or pots to add some colour to your home.

21st May – World Meditation Day

Photo by S Migaj on Unsplash

Meditation has been an integral part of many religions and was first written about in 1500 BCE in India. It plays a prominent role in many religions throughout the world, especially Buddhism and other Eastern faiths, but is also practised by those who are neither spiritual nor religious as a way of easing stress and clearing their mind. There are many types of meditation and these practices require different skills and mindsets. Different types of meditation suit different people. How do you know which practice is right for you? Read this Healthline article and find out.

22^nd May – International Day for Biodiversity

Biodiversity Day 2021 is being celebrated under the slogan: “We’re part of the solution #ForNature.” Biodiversity provides the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihood. Biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build a better future.

“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
Native American proverb

2^nd May – World Laughter day

It’s not a place:take notice related day but we do love a bit of laughter so it makes this newsletter. Held each year on the first Sunday of May, World laughter day, is a global celebration of laughter, smiling and all things positive, and it has some surprising health benefits. So go on, make someone laugh on the 2nd of May.

Watch and Listen

Watch this inspiring TED talk by Florence Williams: Making Spaces of Awe and Restoration. She takes us from forest bathing in Japan to healing forests in Korea and highlights the science that shows how time in nature makes us healthier, happier and more creative. She encourages us to ask “How can cities make spaces of awe and restoration, and how can people be inspired to spend more time in them? “

Listen to this fascinating ABC podcast with psychiatrist and gardener Sue Stuart-Smith as she explores the relationship between gardening and our mental health.

Featured WoW Activity

Share Your Garden at Work

Want a great activity to help your colleagues connect with nature? Why not bring your garden to work with this fun WoW activity?

Great Articles and Websites

Try this ‘Beginner’s Guide to Forest Bathing’ from the ABC.

Read this article from the University of Exeter and find out more about how spending time in the garden is linked to better health and wellbeing

If you can’t get to a garden, but would like to, try this visualisation exercise which takes you into your very own private garden.

This site from the American Society of Landscape Architects is a treasure-trove of information on the health benefits of nature. This great site offers 4 ways of meditating outdoors to restore your body, mind and soul to a more balanced state of health.

I’m FREE!

Please feel free to use all or parts of this newsletter for your websites, blog, social media, newsletter or other communications to inspire your group members

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