The latest TV viewing figures realeased yesterday show that British people prefer to see close up the lives of animals rather than people. The nature programme Spring Watch that films nesting birds, badger families and other wild life is largely filmed from the remote Scotish island of Illa. A stunningly beautiful area off the West coast of Scotland, that is home to a wide variety of nature. Big Brother is filmed in the confines of bricks and mortar and I wonder if herein lies the clue to the viewing figures.

In the many years that I have worked in health I have often witnessed the extrodinary power of nature to calm an agitated patient or uplift the spirit of a person suffering from depression. I particularly remember a young man David who was coming to the end of a short battle with cancer; when I arived at the hospice he was clearly upset and very anxious, the blank grey walls that surrounnded him did little to help. We managed to get him moved to a garden room, it was a beautiful summers day and we wheeled the bed in between the doors so that all he could see was the garden. in minutes he became restful and serene.

My dog Bo had a similar calming effect on people, particularly for those who had just received a poor diagnosis. Patting her as she lent against their legs simply seemed to make shocked pateints feel better.

More evidence that the natural world makes us feel happier and calmer comes from a new study by Dr William Bird (wonderful name eh?) his investigation show that people benefit at many levels from time spent in nature. Patients who have a view of a tree after a gall bladder operation have a shorter post operative stay in hospital, give fewer negative comments and have less post operative complications. And a staggering 95% of hospital staff who felt stressed felt a positive change after they had walked outside for a short while.

More startling facts come from a test where Dr Bird sent three groups of young adults on holiday, one went to the wilds, the second to a town and the third remained at home; they gathered together on their return and had to proof read a highly demanding script. Guess who excelled?

Another study shows that children play differently in an urban environment, their hierachy is based more on physical competance, but in more natural surroundings their social hierachy is based more on imagination and creativity. I wonder if kids who have always based their status on physical strength struggle as they grow up in a world that demands competance at many levels.

Peoples desire to see the glorious untouched landscapes and the ongoing struggles and triumphs of the animals in Spring Watch, show our unconscious need to be part of nature. (as we were for many millions of years) These latest studies show how much we need it for our well being and sanity, not just as a treat now and then but as a vital regular experience that makes us smarter, calmer and happier .

So I am off to the Sussex Downs to feed my soul with a walk and run. can’t do it tonight as guess what I will be eagerly watching?

Jill

PS take a look here to see what else we can do to help our mental and physical well being“>