The Sanctuary's 12-week Nature and Healing Programme

The Sanctuary’s Nature and Healing programme

Nature-based interventions (NBIs) have gained increasing attention in recent years as a promising approach to promoting health and well-being. Research has shown that engaging with nature can have a wide range of positive effects on physical, mental, and emotional health, making it a valuable tool for improving overall quality of life.

One of the key benefits of nature-based interventions is their ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Spending time in natural environments has been found to lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, and increase feelings of calm and relaxation. This can have a significant impact on mental health, as chronic stress has been linked to a variety of negative health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease.

In addition to reducing stress, nature-based interventions have also been shown to improve mood and emotional well-being. Research has found that spending time in nature can increase feelings of happiness and contentment, as well as reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This may be due in part to the restorative effects of nature, which can help to replenish cognitive resources and improve mood regulation.

The programme:

Our Nature and Healing Programme was created by Jane Negrych and follows three ecologies for deepening our relationship with nature, ourselves and one another:

Ecology 1: Inspiration/ Ecology 2: Engagement/ Ecology 3:Enmeshment.

Aim of programme

The aim of the programme is to cultivate and foster a relationship with nature for the purposes of healing and strengthening mental and emotional resiliency.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme, participants will

· Have an understanding of nature in terms of definitions, the organisation of ecosystems and the position and role of humans within ecosystems.

· Explore the concept of inhabiting our own unique relational ecosystems.

·Have engaged with nature through horticulture and contributed to the upkeep and creation of a healing space.

· Have a set of self-help tools to help regulate emotions.

· Have a practical knowledge of how mindfulness, compassion, and movement as a means of developing self-awareness, encouraging insight, and nurturing connection to self, others and the world in which we live.

· Explore the connection between spirituality and nature as a means of finding meaning and purpose

Delivery methods

The programme is designed to be delivered in the Sanctuary’s biodiversity field and the wider Sanctuary premises, which include the library, blue room and the future garden room. It employs a combination of experiential training in mindfulness and self-compassion, engaging with nature through horticulture and regular reflective dialogue. There is some engagement with the process of creative artwork.

AUDIENCE FOR THE PROGRAMME

The Nature and Healing Programme is designed for a wide variety of people who seek to deepen their connection with the natural world through a carefully created programme underpinned by mindfulness and reflective and artistic practices.

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This programme will also suit people working in the caring professions who are open to exploring the healing potential of nature for themselves and their clients. 

We would be delighted to explore opportunities for collaboration, referrals, or partnership, and we welcome any enquiries or conversations about how this programme may support the people your staff as well as the people you work with.

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This 12-week programme will begin on March 12th at 10am and will continue until May 28th

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