Could reconnecting to nature be an answer to mental health problems?

Last year the amazing Cal Major captured the world-record for stand-up paddle boarding; she traversed the entire length of mainland UK from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

​Now she’s back on terra firma and on tour – by bike this time – to promote an incredible ‘Vitamin Sea’ film of her water-borne journey. Here Cal updates us on how it’s going and plans for the future.
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I’m now well underway with my Vitamin Sea Film Tour!

​It’s going really well, with all the screenings so far being either sold out or very nearly sold out! We’ve had some really lovely discussions after the films. We’ve laughed, cried, shared stories and inspiration and seen the UK in all its glory on screen thanks to the wonderful, award-winning filmmaker James Appleton.
The film isn’t just about the adventure. There’s a focus on plastic pollution, and the positive things happening in the UK to tackle them. There’s another focus – and it’s one of the most important lessons I learnt during the expedition: People Protect What They Love. Without that connection to our natural world, we can’t hope for people to want to protect it.

There’s another twist in the tale too. In a time and society where mental health problems are running rife, anxiety and depression on the rise, and suicide tearing peoples’ lives apart, could reconnecting to nature be the answer? We are increasingly frazzled, increasingly disconnected from our natural world, and what it means to be a human as a part of it. Scientific research is proving that being amongst nature, particularly around water, is beneficial for our mental health.

I strongly believe the two are connected – if we can reconnect to nature, appreciate what it means to us and our wellbeing, we’re more likely to want to protect it. And doing something good for the environment in turn makes us feel good. It’s the way nature intended.
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So, back to the Vitamin Sea tour! We’ve raised hundreds of pounds already for charities including Surfers Against Sewage, the Wave Project, Frank Water, and the charity I’m planning to set up, the Vitamin Sea Project – this is so close to my heart and it’s a charity where nature, environmentalism and mental health intersect.

We’re into the second stage of the tour – the North of England. Find more information and tickets on the remaining dates here.

Oh and don’t worry, Scotland, your leg of the tour is being finalised so watch this space.

Thank you so much to everyone for their support.

CalMajor.com