Dr Maria Love

05/01/2023

In this brief article I outline a few ways to build nature connections, which can help us to take care of our health and wellbeing.

 

02/01/2023

As I prepared to welcome people back to the therapy space tomorrow, I took a moment to appreciate how the surroundings have changed between Christmas and New Year.

Leaning into nature can help to restore our mental, physical and emotional energy after the festive period

🌿Wishing you all a nature-filled New Year and 2023 🌿

10/10/2022

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 🌿

𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚

Having worked as a mental health professional for over 15 years this year's key message is very important to me.

Addressing stigma surrounding mental health and overcoming the barriers to accessing help and support is complex and challenging.

Whilst it is not in nature's power to offer a cure to all mental distress and suffering, I believe that the work within the education, social care and health systems to strengthen connections with nature will support how we all work towards protecting and improving the mental health of ourselves and others.

07/09/2022

It's my first official day back in the 'Office' after a restorative summer break and I am definitely sensing the transition into Autumn!

The natural world is constantly in a process of change. Working so closely to the natural environment I can really notice, feel and connect with the changes in weather, light, wind, temperature, seasons and so many other rhythms of nature.

This can support and enhance self-care practices and therapeutic processes in many ways.

Building natureful moments like this into your day can be as simple as:

🏞 Moving towards a natural space: step outside or sit by a window with natural views

⏸️ Pausing and spending a few minutes using your senses to notice and connect with the changes that are happening moment by moment

11/08/2022

These wonderful clips offer a brief and simple way to spend a few moments tuning into the therapeutic sights and sounds of nature.

This is a great way of bringing nature closer to us whenever we need it and wherever we are.

30/07/2022

It was lovely to read this positive personal account of how taking part in nature-based activity supports Iain's physical and mental health, helping him to cope with adjustment, loss and grief.

I was forced to take early retirement and was also struggling to deal with grief, but immersing myself in something creative in a beautiful woodland setting turned my life around

28/07/2022

These guiding principles are grounded in my values and work as a psychologist, working alongside nature to support:

🌿 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 from difficult life events, experiences and adversity

🌿 Personal 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉 and nurturing of mental health and wellness

🌿 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 in living life in ways that are important to you

19/07/2022

Forests offer a cooler setting for connecting with nature during the hot weather.

Breathing in the essential oils (phytoncides) released by trees can improve mood, sleep and immune system functioning.

If you would like to learn about taking mindful walks, Forestry England give helpful tips for practising mindfulness in the forest (a link can be found on the resources page of my website)