Quiet contemplation
I feel grateful that my job allows me to be immersed in nature every day. Outdoors, breathing fresh air, feeling the wind on my face and observing the beauty of wildlife. Every day is different and the variety is what keeps my brain going.
At the start of my working day, I walk past the Folly Pond. The stillness of the water reflects sky and vegetation, calming me, encouraging quiet contemplation. Later in the day, I walk down the Avenue to cut back some reedbeds to open up the view of the ponds from various hides. Though brush cutting is a strenuous task, I know it has a large and meaningful impact on the reserve. When walking around the reserve at the end of my day, I spot waders I haven’t come across yet, which with a glance through the scope are soon identifiable as a ruff and a black-tailed godwit.
Mental health is something we all must prioritise and look after throughout our lives. Nature, as I have learned, can be one of the best tools for that. Whether it’s for a few minutes or a couple of hours, it can promote a healthier and more balanced mind.
Words by Madisyn Pett for World Mental Health Day
