Many of us enjoy spending our free time in nature - it can lift our spirits and help us to relax. So how can we incorporate this into our working week and why should we?

Did you know that every three in five employees experience mental health issues at some stage in their career? Wild Wellbeing Days with the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants, draw on an evidence-based approach to support mental and physical wellbeing through encouraging a sense of connectedness with nature. This connection can have many positive benefits to our mental wellbeing, such as improving our mood and reducing stress levels. Nature experiences can boost our energy, creativity and concentration levels.

We plan them to be a fun and enjoyable day away from the office, with colleagues getting the chance to share new experiences and bond as a team.

Recently, my colleague Nathan and I had the pleasure of welcoming a team of 15 from Ewing Associates in St Ives to the Ramsey Heights nature reserve, part of the Great Fen living landscape. An ordinary day for these financial planners and administrators, as for many of us, would be confined to the office, sat at a desk. Instead, the first part of the day gave participants the chance to get hands on and creative in exploring this beautiful nature reserve. Nature connection activities were chosen to bring the team together in small groups, sharing ideas and experiences, and crucially to have some fun! 

As the morning progressed, the sun came out and the sound of bird song was joined with the sound of chatting and laughter from the group.

After lunch, the pace slowed down, as the group was guided on a forest bathing walk. Forest bathing is the practice of slowing down and paying close attention to the natural world around us. Participants were guided in activities to encourage them to awaken their senses and connect mindfully to nature.

By the end of the day, everyone had shared an enjoyable and relaxing day together, with some great memories to take away and hopefully some new stories to share over coffee in the office. Many were surprised by how simply slowing down and noticing nature had helped them feel calm and relaxed. They learned techniques that can be applied at work and were inspired to make time for noticing nature each day. We hope everyone returned to their desks refreshed and ready to tackle the week's challenges. 

Ramsey Heights nature reserve worked wonderfully as host site for the day. As well as the facilities of the countryside centre there, the reserve is incredibly beautiful and tranquil. The abandoned clay pits have developed into ponds and pools rich with aquatic plant and insect life. A variety of species call this place home with nationally protected great crested newts breeding in the ponds, many of which are enclosed by the picturesque seed heads of common reed mace. Its relatively small size and the introductory walk on the day meant that people were able to get to know the site quite quickly during the day's activities.  It also boasts a large outdoor wooden gazebo that served brilliantly as our base for the day. 

Employers obviously have an important role to play in helping improve the wellbeing of their employees and The Wildlife Trust BCN is pleased to be able to offer a helping hand. If you think your employees or colleagues would benefit from a Wild Wellbeing Day or maybe a more hands-on Wild Work Day, please get in touch. 

Email Nathan Long, Business Partnerships Manager, at corporate@wildlifebcn.org.