Operations Manager at A Dose of Nature
Megan Charles took an interesting pathway into her conservation career, completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology, followed by a Masters in Environmental Strategy. This provided her with a useful combination of knowledge from different disciplines. It also bought her into the orbit of Dr Alison Greenwood, a Counselling Psychologist who founded A Dose of Nature, which then led to an ultimately successful – interview held in Kew Gardens – for the Operations Manager role at the charity. We spoke to Megan for Episode 4, of The Hive podcast.
A Dose of Nature works in tune with GP Services in the London Borough of Richmond, whereby someone is referred by a GP, which then leads to a psychologists assessment at the charity. At this point the clients will be matched with a trained volunteer, who will work one-to-one on nature based activities, and encouraging a lifestyle switch so that they gain the maximum health benefits from nature.
Megan also shared her own experiences with mental health and how nature helped – but also how everyone experiences nature differently, what one person finds calming – might make another feel anxious. It is not a “one size fits all prescription”. Even if people do not feel the psychological benefits of nature, it can also have physiological benefits, for example from the airborne phytoncides.
We discussed the research behind these practices, up to 40 years worth with some of the oldest studies originating from Japan – through Forest Bathing (shinrin-yoku).
One of the most fascinating elements was finding out that opposite the fight or flight state that humans spend a great deal of their time in the modern world in, is the rest or digest system – that is triggered by nature and has a calming impact on us.
We had a fascinating time listening to Megan describe how the modern world has shaped our stresses, and how embracing the natural world can help our mental health, with some great practical examples for people to consider. Come and take a listen to Episode 4 of The Hive.
The Hive Podcast 