GREEN & SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
Tackling Stress, Anxiety & Isolation?
Social Prescribing aligns with the NHS’ population health approach and a drive for individualised care, putting the patient and their individual needs at the heart of the service.
One size does’nt fit all, so whether the patient’s need calls for holistic wellbeing interventions that are vitalising or relaxing, reflective or social, G Nature & Wellbeing have them covered with our range of service offerings.
Of the 1.8 million UK workers suffering from work -related ill health, 875,000 (49%) of cases are attributed to stress, anxiety or depression
Neurophysiological Signs Of Stress & Anxiety
Impaired Brainwave Balance & Hyperarousal
In todays high-pressure world our stress can be associated with neurophysiological patterns like high levels of beta brainwave activity.
While beneficial for problem-solving and active thinking, being stuck in high-beta states can lead to brain fog and overthinking which impact decision-making, focus and productivity, and can lead to mental exhaustion and anxiety.
Anxiety & Brainwaves
Anxiety often stems from dysregulated brainwave patterns. These include:
- Excessive Beta Waves. High levels of fast, beta brainwaves (associated with active thinking) linked to excessive worry, stress, brain fog and anxious thoughts.
- Low Alpha or Theta Waves. Lower levels of slower brainwaves (such as alpha and theta), which are linked to relaxation and calmness, can prevent the brain from achieving a balanced, restful state.
“I’ve suffered from chronic anxiety my whole life and I’ve never been able to relax……after this session (forest bathing) I feel completely relaxed!”
The risks of prolonged activation of Beta brainwave states
This constant strain can push individuals into a sympathetic nervous system state of hyperarousal – a state of over-activation commonly associated with conditions like ADHD and PTSD but can also be triggered by ongoing work and life stressors like..
– continually chasing high-pressure deadlines
– unrealistic workloads
– or interpersonal conflicts
Patients can become stuck in a cycle of stress, making it difficult to maintain focus and clarity when needed in work and day to day life.
Empower patients with mental clarity and cognitive space to better deal with life's stressors
ADHD Patient
“…the inner peace and clarity of mind I felt following the session was unlike anything I have ever felt.”
Excerpt from full google review – see ‘Clinical Patient Feedback’ page under Customer Testimonials
Moving out of these high-beta states and into alpha brainwave states—associated with a more relaxed, focused mental state—can improve an individual’s ability to cope more effectively with stressors of daily life.
Even more powerful is time spent in theta brainwave states, which occurs during deep relaxation and meditation, where attention is more focused inwards.
Those who spend restorative time in theta meditative states often feel refreshed, energised, and cognitively clear of clutter—ready to tackle challenges of daily life with renewed mental clarity.
Holistic wellbeing interventions that support cognitive space and brainwave balance
‘Get it right first time’ with a mix of activities to suit a range of patient needs
We host regular classes and events across South Wales, these can be replicated specifically for patients aligning with their needs.
We also create Wellness Days combining a number of the class offerings, ideally immersed in nature in a private location to aid that sense of safety and to help patients ot switch off and surrender to nature.
Nature Connection & Forest Bathing
Global evidence supports the mindful practice of Forest Bathing which is growing in popularity since it’s introduction in Japan in the 1980s with demonstrated psychological and physiological health benefits, including
– Significant reductions in anxiety
– Reduction in stress and depression
– Reduced blood pressure and heart rate
– Boost to our immunity with an increase in NK cells
– Improved sleep and sense of vigour
Our Forest Bathing sessions can help patients learn skills to break the cycle of mental clutter and overthinking, reducing stress and anxiety. By focusing on the present moment, grounding techniques allow employees to reconnect with their alpha brainwave state and aid attention restoration.
EEG studies showed that experiencing natural environments is associated with several neurophysiological patterns linked to stress reduction, including increased;
alpha activity (Grassini et al., 2019, 2022; Olszewska-Guizzo et al., 2022b)
and theta power (Olszewska-Guizzo et al., 2022b), as well as
decreased beta activity (Grassini et al., 2019).
“I know it sounds profound, but connecting with nature, the little insects, the cobwebs, the leaves and plants helped remind me how small and insignificant we all are in the grand scheme of things”
Intervention Feedback from Public Health Wales & NHS Staff
“..the forest bathing and gong bath session was really relaxing and helped me to unwind and just forget about time and really be in that moment. I felt calm, relaxed, refreshed and really surprised at the positive effect that it had on me.
I struggle to fully relax on a daily basis due to having ADHD which causes my mind to race a lot.
Geraint’s forest bathing session allowed me to start to feel free from intrusive thoughts and distractions. My mind began to feel settled and my body really relaxed…”
“..I experienced some positive and profound reactions and responses. Quite life affirming and life changing!”
I had not taken part in anything like this before so did not know what to expect. I didn’t know anyone else in the group, but felt completely relaxed and at home thanks to Geraint’s welcome and leadership. I appreciated the short talk at the start to explain the evidence behind forest bathing.
Through a series of short ‘invitations’, we connected with nature through our senses.
Although this sounds simple, I experienced some positive and profound reactions and responses. Quite life affirming and life changing!
Geraint held the group well, ensuring that everyone’s needs were met regardless of their starting point. This activity is suitable for anyone – you don’t have to be spiritual or a tree hugger – although I thoroughly enjoyed hugging ‘my’ tree 😊
Gong & Sound Meditation Classes
Gong sound baths and other meditative therapies like Himalayan Brainwave Bowls promote deep relaxation, guiding employees into alpha and theta brainwave states.
You don’t need to know how to meditate or focus on being mindful and present as following a gentle guided meditation to help get you present with your body and breath the Sound Bath itself can quickly transport you to a meditative state for deeper relaxation.
Internal chatter or ruminating thoughts can quickly move towards a dreamy subconscious state, as your creative mind begins to journey with the sounds.
Amongst many individual and varied psychological and physiological health benefits (see testimonials section below) our sessions have helped our customers quiet the mind, reduce anxiety, and improve cognitive clarity.
Spending an hour in Theta brainwave state offers the equivalent of four hours of REM sleep with optimal space for neuroplasticity, allowing employees to feel recharged and focused.
Intervention Feedback from Public Health Wales & NHS Staff
“I was so relaxed, my heart rate dropped so that my FitBit thought I was asleep!’
I had no idea what a gong bath was when I tried it for the first time but it’s the perfect description for being bathed in sound and vibrations.
I think it would be a great introduction to anyone thinking of trying a more meditative approach to relaxation. I was so relaxed, my heart rate dropped so that my FitBit thought I was asleep!
Geraint creates a safe space to immerse yourself in the experience, and the music is amazing.
“…I’d been suffering from work stress for many months and was struggling to get back to my “normal”
I have had many different therapies but find it very hard to tune out and relax.
I was amazed that I had relaxed and tuned out. I have no idea where I went but it was pleasant leaving me calmer than I had been for a long time.
Intervention Feedback from Chronic & Severe Diagnosed Patients
“First time time it was like a like a release, like something lifted from me, it was like a shift in energy which I’ve never experienced before ✨✨✨ absolutely amazing.
Other times I’ve felt floaty, a nice positive feeling. It feels safe like an embrace.
It’s stuck with me each time, and helped me put things in place to manage my illness easier too, with my diagnosis I have a tendency of living in the past and since experiencing gongs I’m able to look towards the future.”
“I suffer from Fibromyalgia, I’ve had chronic headaches for the past year and tried all kinds of medication, also I have fatigue and trouble sleeping. After attending your Gong Baths I’ve left feeling full of vigour, and have slept better than I have for ages. My headaches eased too”
“I’ve not been able to relax since I lost my daughter 3 years ago. Towards the end of the Gong Bath I found myself come around with a smile on my face, and now feel very relaxed. I know it’s only temporary but it feels like respite and a light at the end of the tunnel”
Himalayan Brainwave Bowl Meditation Classes
These bowls have been carefully selected to include closely matched frequencies that create oscillating binaural beats or binaural tones when certain bowls are combined
As a result our busy brains slow down their vibrating frequencies through a process classed Brainwave Entrainment from a busy Beta brainwave state, through a more dreamy and creative Alpha brainwave state, towards a deeper subconscious Theta Brainwave state, which is associated with REM sleep, hypnosis and meditation.
Wellness Workshops with Sound Bath Meditation
These workshops are crafted to complement the transformative experience of gong and sound baths by helping participants confront and release limiting beliefs, and aid purposeful decision making in life.
Through guided exercises, attendees are encouraged to explore self imposed barriers and reframe them into a vision of their best selves.
This vision becomes a purposeful intention to carry into the sound bath.
As the soothing vibrations and tones facilitate deep theta states of relaxation the intention gets a chance to take root into the subconsious during a fertile climate for neuroplasticity, promoting meaningful shifts in mindset.
‘A review of the evidence assessing the impact of social prescribing on healthcare demand and cost implications showed average reductions following referrals to social prescribing schemes of 28% in GP services, 24% in attendance at A&E and statistically significant drops in referral to hospital.’ (Public Health Wales; May 2018)
We would welcome connection with Public Health leads, Social Prescribing leads, Commuity Connectors, Link or Wellbeing Coordinators, GP cluster leads, Social prescribing committee members, or government funded third sector CICs, charities or organisations to explore collaboration opportunities
Contact us at info@gnaw.wales
Which testimonial themes would resonate with your patients needs and your ideal wellness intervention feedback criteria?
We have grouped over 100 pieces of feedback into themes to help you navigate through the voices of those that have experienced our wellness classes and felt compelled to share feedback.
Public Health & NHS Staff Testimonials
Clinically Diagnosed Patient Impact
Sound Bath Meditation Testimonial Themes
Cleared Busy Minds
testimonials
energised uplifting happy
testimonials
Calming Peaceful Beautiful
testimonials
Forest Bathing +/- Gong Bath
& Wellness Days Testimonials
‘Social prescribing, sometimes referred to as community referral, is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical support. There are many different models for social prescribing, but most involve a link worker or navigator who works with people to access local sources of support’ (Kings Fund; Feb 2017)
Check out this downloadable flyer
Social Prescribing
The idea behind social prescribing is to help patients have more control over their healthcare and find ways to manage their needs in a way that suits them.
These Social prescribing schemes may lead to a reduction in the use of NHS services, and many schemes are focussed on improving mental health and physical well-being.
Examples of non-medical services and activities: