Journey of Discovery Found Close to Home
1 February 2013
Through doing less and seeing more, and noting nature as you go, it is possible to discover a new relationship with the familiar landscape and wildlife about you.
”Dr Miles Richardson
The latest research paper by two University of Derby psychology academics grew from regular walks close to home.
As Dr Miles Richardson walked, he wrote. He walked so far, and so often, that through over 200 walks in one year he wrote a book. The book, published as
Needwood, took these simple trips into the local countryside of East Staffordshire and turned them into a universal story about people's connection to the natural world.
On completing the book, Dr Richardson's research instinct took over and he handed a draft of the 53,000 word manuscript over to his colleague Dr Jenny Hallam for thematic analysis. This analysis revealed a journey of discovery as observation of the natural world turned into close attachment. The results of that analysis will be published in American psychology journal,
The Humanistic Psychologist in February 2013.
Previous research about the rewards of spending time in the nature have focused on trips into the wilderness. The analysis by Richardson & Hallam suggests that journies of discovery can also happen by exploring simple places close to home.
Dr Richardson said: "Through doing less and seeing more, and noting nature as you go, it is possible to discover a new relationship with the familiar landscape and wildlife about you.
"Such time in the natural world can bring benefits such as restoration, creativity and a conservation ethic. Finding these benefits close to home is important as everyday access to wild landscapes is difficult to achieve and staying local is more sustainable."
For more information about Psychology at Derby visit www.derby.ac.uk/psychology
