Nature was a lifeline for many of us during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. As we mark five years since the first lockdown, we reflect on how the natural world helped us cope with the unprecedented uncertainty.
For so many of us, the outdoors became more than just a place to escape; it was a source of comfort, recovery, and connection. In this blog, we share stories from the Nature’s Cure in Times of Need: New Voices for North East Nature project. This project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is dedicated to capturing personal accounts of how nature has played a pivotal role in rebuilding physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Long covid hit me very hard and its only through taking short walks in Northumberland building up slowly and stopping lots to look for wildlife that helped me rebuild stamina & fitness.
Anonymous
Exploring and appreciating nature is something I have done since I was young. From days out digging for fossils on the Jurassic coast, to scuba diving in Egypt, it has formed a large part of my life.
It has always been the one thing I am reliably passionate about, and it influenced me to complete an undergraduate and master’s degree in environmental science. For me nature and the environment provides a focus that I cannot find elsewhere, and now forms a part of my career.
I feel very lucky to have had many opportunities to explore the natural world throughout the country and abroad, and I recognise that not everyone has that opportunity.
While living in Shanghai during the Covid lockdowns I was confined to only my apartment for almost 70 days. It was only during this time that I realised how impactful it was to be confined to just the indoors. Luckily, I had a window next to a plum tree that I would sit at during the sunny spring days. Even this was enough to restore some level of sanity during an otherwise uncertain time.
Jamie Crump
During Lockdown’s permitted daily walk I discovered two places for nature on my doorstep I had hitherto not explored much. Quarry Park, where discovering a round hole in a dead tree, made me keep an eye out for great spotted woodpecker. However my main walk would be along the paths and bridleways of Whitely Road, Benton, close to the NUFC training ground. I could do a short half hour walk, always stopping off at the bridge over the burn to see if there were any “tiddlers”. I would always be pleased to see the ‘resident’ 2 oystercatchers fly overhead or settle on one of the training pitches. A bird in the NE I would have previously associated with the coast. Sometimes the bridleways would take me down to the Coast Road before returning.
During Lockdown the garden was more appreciated, the birds coming to the feeders or just looking more closely at the tree bark and the fascinating texture, or what lichen was growing. In the last year we have dug out a new larger pond, and in that process saw our first newt already inhabiting the original bin lid pond.
Following a recent nature journal workshop with Steve Pardue I am more observant on my 5 min walk for the paper or the daily 10 min walk around local streets, noting the screeching of parakeets or the first crocus and daffodils coming up, all “fodder” for my journal as well as visits to the coast, Jesmond Dene or Bolam Lake. Recently retired, my second year of retirement will be filled with writing and sketching my first nature journal through the four seasons.
Before work I had a long period of unemployment and in hindsight realise how much being outside in nature, fell walking in the Lake District, Scotland and Northumberland kept me going. All worries and pressures behind me as the only things of importance were navigation, keeping an eye on the weather and appreciating beautiful landscapes, in all weathers. Now, I might not reach or feel the need to ‘bag’ another summit and feel contentment in just sitting quietly looking and listening to the landscape and sketching is sometimes an excuse to look more closely and slowly and listen to nature. It’s a wonderful world, when the news on the radio and TV becomes too much! Switch off, look out of the window or better still get outside!
Gary
I was fascinated by nature and biodiversity as long as I can remember. I loved reading stories and watching documentaries about nature and wildlife. These documentaries and TV shows fueled my interest that’s when I started watching birds in my backyard. I also noted their nesting behaviour. All of these experiences caused my decision to take up natural science for my higher studies. Nature really helped me to connect with different people in the college days and later during covid lockdown time. I started tending to plants and growing new ones in my balcony. It gave me much joy to watch the little saplings grow. I also take much interest into insects in the home garden was really nice.
Neha Mujumdar
I was brought up in London, but near Epping Forest which I visited regularly as a child with my dad (taking the dog for a walk at the weekend for example) – not sure if I realised it at the time but I think this is where I developed an interest in nature, in its beauty and the calming relaxing effect of being ‘in nature’. We moved to the North East about 30 years ago and part of the appeal is the easy access to nature, of many types from coast to woodlands to uplands etc.
Recently I have found being outside in a forest or at the coast for example to be very good for improving or maintaining mental health. Just walking, looking at and listening in can be awe inspiring and of course very mindful. This has been particularly important during lockdown and to help deal with some difficult things that happen in life.
Ian Cowell
Our first grandson was born in 2019 just before the onset of Covid. Having just retired, my life had turned upside down. 1 year I was working with lots of people, the following year was a day filled with silences. Walking in Dinnington and surrounding areas was my salvation.
But that wasn’t quite enough and my outdoor life with my grandson was my true salvation. We were in a bubble together and our walks in the countryside were so rewarding. I was the teacher and he was the inquisitive pupil and simple things like finding the bees became a daily challenge. Even now when he comes to visit me 5 years later, his first question is “can we find the bees grandad?” Our time together made the ordinary days seem like very special days. The countryside made our bond together and it will never be broken.
William Tebay
I’ve moved back to the UK after nearly a decade abroad in November 2019. My partner and I moved into a new village and were not overly familiar with the area when the pandemic began and we went into lockdown.The immediate area and back garden became my own heaven away from what was a difficult time for everyone.
Tiff Edmunds
I spent so much time exploring walking routes, trapsing through fields and along rivers or into woodlands.
This time reminded me of a childlike joy I had forgotten and became my center. Spotting deer, learning new bird species and finding mushrooms were the glimmers of hope I needed to get through an isolating time and remain an important part of my grounding activities.
Each of these experiences reveal just how deeply the natural world can shape our physical and emotional wellbeing. Whether it was short walks in Northumberland, the quiet solace of a tree outside an apartment window, the simple joy of tending to plants on a balcony, or the precious time spent outdoors with loved ones, nature helped us all to feel connected when circumstances dictated that we stay apart.
We now invite you to share your own story.
How did nature help you through the pandemic? Did outdoor spaces play a role in your daily routine during lockdown? Has nature provided a sense of calm or hope during uncertain times?
Submit your story here: Share Your Story About Nature’s Cure in Time of Need – Natural History Society of Northumbria
All stories that you submit can be accessioned into NHSN’s North East Nature Archive for future generations to explore. Share your story today and be part of this living legacy!
