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.
Social Prescribing
The Welsh Government has committed to making social prescribing a priority in its Programme for Government.
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:
- Anxiety over paying bills – Debt management advice
- Burnout, chronic stress or anxiety – mindfulness, meditation, sound baths or green prescriptions to spend time in nature, mindfully, like a guided practice of Forest Bathing
- Obesity or depression – Physical exercise such as guided walking, Forest Bathing
- Isolation and loneliness – Group activities like choir singing, yoga, pilates, mental health groups or walking
In todays high-pressure world our acute stress can be associated with 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.
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.
This constant strain can push individuals into a state of hyperarousal—where the body’s sympathetic nervous system is over-activated—leaving them on edge and unable to relax or focus.
ADHD
“…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 lower vibrational theta brainwave states, which occurs during deep relaxation and meditation, where attention is more focused inwards.
“..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…”
Green Social Prescriptions
Research has found that exposure to nature during adulthood appears to be important for mental health. A study of 94,879 UK adults in 2021 indicated a consistent protective effect of greenness on depression risk. Whilst evidence has also been found with associations between nature exposure and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity, and sleep.
The mindful practice of Forest Bathing is growing in popularity, supported by research, since it’s introduction in Japan in the 1980s with demonstrated psychological and physiological health benefits, with significant reductions in anxiety, stress, depression scores, reduced blood pressure and heart rate and a boost to our immunity with an increase in NK cells, and reports of improved sleep.
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 serries 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 😊
“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!”
“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”
‘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)
Gong & Sound Meditation
You don’t need to know how to meditate or focus on being mindful as following a gentle guided meditation to help get you present with your body and breath the Gong Sound Bath itself can quickly transport you to a meditative state for deeper relaxation.
Distracted by the depth of resonance, sounds and vibrations our busy minds succumb and through a natural process called ‘Brainwave Entrainment’ begin to slow down to a theta meditative state.
Internal chatter or ruminating thoughts can quickly move towards a dreamy subconsious state, as your creative mind begins to journey with the sounds.
Those who spend restorative time in theta meditative states often feel refreshed, energised, and cognitively clear of clutter—ready to tackle challenges with renewed mental clarity.
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.
“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”
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
‘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)
How many of these testimonial themes would resonate with your patients needs and your ideal wellness activity feedback criteria?
We have grouped up to 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.
Cleared Busy Minds & Overthinking Headspace
testimonials
energised uplifting happy
testimonials
Calming Peaceful Beautiful
testimonials
OUR NATURE & WELLBEING EXPERIENCES
‘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 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.
Yoga & Pilates
page coming soon
Clinical Holistic Therapy
page coming soon
Check out this downloadable flyer