New campaign emphasises wellness benefits of contact with nature

The South Australian Government has launched a new campaign promoting the real benefits associated with simple pleasures like going for a walk in the fresh air or appreciating the beauty of nature.

The news ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing in Nature’ is part of the Healthy Parks Healthy People SA initiative being run by the South Australian Department for Health and Ageing and the South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.

Posters and starter packs of five postcards featuring the messages, ‘Connect’, ‘Be active’, ‘Take notice’, ‘Keep learning’ and ‘Give’ are being distributed to key organisations like local councils, suicide prevention networks and other NGOs.

The Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative focuses on the relationship between spending time in nature and better mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

A number of recent studies have linked spending time in nature to a range of health and mental health benefits, such as lower blood pressure, reduced stress, stronger immune systems and improved productivity.

Launching the campaign, South Australian Health Minister Peter Malinauskas stated “while most people understand the importance of protecting their physical health and take steps to eat well or exercise, many are less aware of the simple actions they can take to protect their mental health and wellbeing.

“The Five Ways to Wellbeing in Nature campaign aims to improve people’s awareness of how to protect and promote their mental health and wellbeing.

“The Five Ways are easy to remember, free, applicable to everyone and provide endless options for activities.

“South Australia is proud to be one of the first places in the world to promote nature as the ideal setting for practising the Five Ways to Wellbeing.”

For more information go to www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/5WaystoWellbeing 

Image: Walkers on South Australia's Heysen Trail.

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