Visits to the UK’s woodlands boosts mental health and is estimated to save £185 million in treatment costs annually according to a landmark report published by Forest Research in December 2021. The report, published during ‘National Tree Week’ is the first time the health and wellbeing benefits of the UK’s woodlands have been quantified.
For Northern Ireland specifically, it is estimated that woodlands save £6 million costs associated with mental health illnesses, including visits to GPs, drug prescriptions, inpatient care, social services and the number of days lost due to mental health issues. The figures are based on evidence of the reduced incidence of depression and anxiety resulting from regular visits to woodlands.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the prevalence of mental illness has increased. Access to trees, woods, forests, and other natural environments including urban parks and green spaces has become even more important for individuals to support and maintain their wellbeing. Of visits to all greenspace over the past 10 years, from farmland and countryside to parks and playing fields), 14.1% of these were made to woodlands.
Spending just 30 minutes per week in forests and engaging in “green exercise” can really help with your mental health. Whether you are walking with a friend or just sitting on a bench admiring the scenery, there are positive benefits to you from spending time in woodland. It’s a great way to escape from traffic noise as well as a chance to breathe in the clean fresh forest air. So even though you feel like hibernating in the winter months, make the effort to visit your local forest every week and see how much better your mood is as a result.
