This week is the Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week. This brings much needed attention and dialogue to mental health issues in the round, but also focuses on one specific theme each year. This year the focus is on Nature.
We know that 2020 has been an unprecedented year in terms of public health. The pandemic has challenged all of us as individuals, families and businesses. Whilst there has been detailed recording of the physical impact of Covid-19, the impact on our mental health is not so easily quantified. The repeated lockdowns and being unable to see family and friends has made many of us feel isolated and lonely, leading to increased stress and anxiety.
For many of our clients, we know that the stress of the past year has added to their anxieties and the challenges often faced when dealing with the breakdown of a relationship. Many of their support networks have been curtailed as a result of the restrictions, and activities which were previously a welcome distraction are no longer available. This is why it is more important than ever that we support our clients not only through the legal process, but also put in place a strategy to protect their wellbeing through this challenging period.
We remain committed to our core values of clarity, commitment and confidence and we work with our clients to create bespoke strategies and solutions which match their objectives. We instil confidence in our clients for the future and in circumstances where our clients need additional support, we pride ourselves on having excellent working relationships with a number of therapists and wellbeing practitioners. It is our priority to ensure that our clients obtain the help they need for themselves and their families, from both a legal and wellbeing perspective.
As a team, we support our own employees who deal with complex cases on a frequent basis, often supporting vulnerable clients through mental health crisis. This year, we have established the Wellbeing Team to foster a culture which promotes physical and mental wellbeing.
This week in particular, our staff will be hearing from a professional adventurer and TEDx speaker and will be encouraged to take time away from their screens to focus on the benefits of being in nature for their mental wellbeing.
Nature has the unique ability to not only bring consolation in times of stress, but also increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder. It turns out that it is not just being in nature but how we open ourselves up and interact with nature that counts. Studies show that even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health.
For all of us, spending time in green space or bringing nature into our everyday lives can benefit both our mental and physical wellbeing. For example, doing things like growing food or flowers, exercising outdoors or being around animals can have lots of positive effects. It can:
- improve our mood
- reduce feelings of stress or anger
- help us take time out and feel more relaxed
- improve our physical health
- improve our confidence and self-esteem
- help us be more active
At Rayden Solicitors, we know that everyone in our team has an invaluable role in supporting wellbeing in the workplace. It is this positive environment which enables us to offer our clients the support they need when facing the challenges which arise in the difficult work we often do.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues in this blog, please contact Kayleigh Biswas, Associate Solicitor in our Berkhamsted office.
