BARGOED CELEBRATES WALES NATURE WEEK 2022
Wales Nature Week 2022 is being celebrated in Bargoed Town Centre with a Nature awareness stand organised by Bargoed Town Council on the afternoon of 6th July 2022.
There are many nature walks, talks and activity days taking place throughout Wales, organised by a range of organisations and individuals coming together for Wales Nature Week. Running between 2-10 July, the theme of this year’s Wales Nature Week is ‘Get Connected – the Well-being Benefits of Nature.’
This year the organising body, Wales Biodiversity Partnership, commissioned a literature review of international studies over the past decade, which measure the benefits to the mind and body of people engaging in nature.
One study into the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing – a mindful walk through woodland – has been shown to reduce anxiety by 29%.
Announcing this year’s programme of events, Sean McHugh of Wales Biodiversity Partnership said: “Wales Nature Week is a celebration of our oldest heritage – nature. Nature is for all of us and connecting with nature is good for our physical and mental well-being.”
A 2013 study found that a 90-minute Nature Walk can reduce the negative thoughts known as rumination that can contribute to mental health problems. Another study in 2010 found that viewing natural scenes can lead to lower concentrations of cortisol, the ‘stress hormone’, and decrease the pulse rate and lower blood pressure.
Organisers are also keen to encourage families to experience nature together, pointing to a 2017 study which found that access to green space can lead to improved mental well-being, overall health and cognitive development of children
