October is Mental Health Month in the ACT. It’s also mid-spring, with warmer weather enticing us to spend more time outside. It’s the perfect time to deepen your connection with nature and experience the many wellbeing benefits.

“Nature Connection” is the psychological measure of the quality of our relationship and emotional attachment with nature. Nature connection has been shown to:

Improve mood
Enhance cognitive function
Restore attention
Spark creativity
Boost the immune system
Reduce stress and tension
Regulate the nervous system
Help us recover from burnout
And much more…

When we connect with nature in a mindful, embodied way we feel the benefits; more than those experienced during physical activity or spending time in green spaces alone!

Global research indicates the non-human world benefits too, as connection with nature also leads to increased stewardship behaviours and improved environmental outcomes. In this way, nature connection supports a mutually beneficial relationship of reciprocity.

What’s Involved?
It’s FREE to participate – the commitment is your time. Please review the following key dates.

Sign up before Tuesday 30 September.
Soon after registration you will receive access to the NatureFix app with their Top 10 Nature Routines.
You can proceed through these routines at your own pace over the course of the month.
At the start of the month (Wednesday 1 October, 6pm - 7pm) we will meet online to kick start the challenge as a community and share our personal goals for the month.
Throughout the challenge, you'll be invited to share your nature connection experiences via our wellbeing through nature facebook page. We'll be inviting the broader Canberra community to connect here too.
On World Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October, 6pm - 7pm) registered participants will gather online for a mid-month check-in. This is an opportunity to connect with others, share your experiences, and try your hand at some nature journaling.
At the end of the month (Sunday 26 October, 2pm-4pm) we will gather once again - this time in person for a guided experiential in which we will apply the routines and enjoy a variety of hands-on nature connection activities.
Location to be confirmed closer to the date.

Spaces in this October challenge are limited* so register now to avoid missing out.
*Please note: as we are wanting to provide opportunities for new faces, registration is not open to previous participants of Deepening Nature Connection (held in 2023). You can still take part via our mental health month daily challenge - we'll be posting a new nature connection invitation each day via our socials (facebook and instagram).