NEARLY two-thirds of adults in Scotland said being close to nature improves their mood but one in 10 found it difficult to access it, according to a new survey.

The research for Mental Health Foundation Scotland also found that almost half (45%) of adults in Scotland said they were not connecting or feeling a close engagement with nature often enough to help their mental health.

The foundation announced the research today to mark the start of its Mental Health Awareness Week.

It has released a new report, Nature: Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, which calls on the Scottish Government to introduce a Green Spaces Strategy to guarantee safe and accessible green spaces for all, transform Scotland’s relationship with the outdoors and improve mental and physical health.

The charity’s national director, Lee Knifton, said: “Connecting with nature is good for our mental health as it helps reduce feelings of worry, anxiety and stress. In turn, it boosts positive emotions such as joy and calmness. People might assume that because we live in Scotland with a wealth of beautiful natural spaces to enjoy, we can all get into nature when we need to. However, this is not the case with one in 10 adults finding it difficult to access nature.

“That’s why we need the Scottish Government to produce a national Green Spaces Strategy and for each local authority to produce its own local strategy.

“This includes protecting and enhancing green spaces in urban areas, ensuring all new housing developments include high quality green space, and expanding outdoor learning opportunities for children.”

The survey found 65% of adults in Scotland said being close to nature improves their mood and 60% said being in nature has led them to experience emotions such as calm, wonder and joy. However, 11% found it fairly or very difficult to access nature when they wanted and 32% spent less than three hours in nature per week while 11% spent up to one hour or less. Among women, 22% said not feeling physically safe hindered them from enjoying nature, compared to 6% of men. The survey of 1055 adults was carried out by YouGov between April 6 and 8.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government has recognised the many benefits of contact with nature and exercise outdoors for physical and mental health and wellbeing, and supported efforts to help people experience these.

“The Covid-19: Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan, published in October, includes action to build on the positive sport and physical activity behaviour changes we have seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Caroline O’Donnell, 43, from Glasgow, said she has discovered that wild swimming in local lochs has helped her mental health. She said: “The last year has been tough with the pandemic, lockdowns and being made redundant.

“Being out in the open water and experiencing nature in such an all-encompassing way really helps me to feel calm and feel really present in the moment. It helps me relax, forget my worries, and just decompress.”