Spending time in nature feels instinctively restorative, but what does the science actually say about why green spaces improve our mental health? In this episode of The Stigma Shift, Senior Social Worker Shirley Gleeson explores the growing field of planetary health and nature-based interventions in mental health care.

From the stress-reducing power of 20-minute nature walks to therapeutic horticulture programs transforming patient recovery, Shirley shares evidence-based practices, practical activities anyone can try today, and why our connection to the natural world matters more than ever for psychological well-being.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• How spending just 120 minutes per week in nature improves psychological well-being.
• The three main scientific theories explaining nature's mental health benefits.
• Why equality of access to quality green spaces matters.
• Practical nature-based interventions used in healthcare settings
• The simple activities anyone can start today

GUEST DETAILS

Shirley Gleeson is a Senior Social Worker with the Addictions Team in St John of God University Hospital. She has 25 years’ experience in social work and has spent the past decade working in both child and adolescent and adult mental health. She has Masters in both social work and health promotion and has spoken at international conferences on the area of mental health and the natural environment. She has trained in various nature-based therapies in the U.S, South Africa and the U.K. Prior to her current post Shirley worked on several European projects in this area. She is passionate about both social and environmental justice

MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie

QUOTES

• The further we're away from nature, the more mental health difficulties we might experience. We are part of nature, but in the modern day world, sometimes we're separated from it, and that causes us a lot of stress. - Shirley Gleeson
• Research found that people that spend 120 minutes a week in nature were significantly more likely to report good health and better psychological well-being. - Shirley Gleeson
• Natural settings promote what they call soft fascination, which meant that the brain had time to relax. Things like listening to bird song or flowing water or the movement in nature really helped relax and promoted the soft fascination. - Shirley Gleeson

KEYWORDS

#naturetherapy #planetaryhealth #mentalwellbeing #ecotherapy #greenspaces

Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or constantly running on empty? You’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a daily companion for many of us—quietly impacting our sleep, energy levels, mood, and even physical health.

Today, we’re diving into the real effects of stress on the body and mind, and exploring practical, evidence-based strategies to manage it. From understanding how hormones like cortisol play a role, to recognizing early signs of burnout, we’ll unpack the science and psychology of stress.

We’ll also talk about the importance of self-care, social connection, and new approaches like social prescribing that go beyond traditional medical treatment.

Joining us is seasoned specialist in stress management, lifestyle health, and social prescribing who is our Health Promotion Nurse Specialist at St John of God University Hospital, Denise McGinley.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Recognising the early signs of stress on your body and mind
• How cortisol impacts sleep, appetite, digestion and focus.
• The difference between healthy stress and harmful burnout
• Mindfulness, lifestyle tweaks, and everyday self-care routines to manage stress
• Social prescribing as a non-medical intervention to support emotional wellbeing

GUEST DETAILS

Denise Mc Ginley is the Health Promotion Nurse Specialist at St John of God University Hospital.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/denise-mc-ginley-5714b131b

MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie

QUOTES

• It's important to look at the mind-body connection. There is something going on in your brain that causes you to feel stressed, and that, in turn, has a physical effect on your body. - Denise McGinley
• When we feel stressed, we have this excess amount of cortisol running around our bodies. That can have an impact on our sleep, how we eat and poor concentration. - Denise McGinley
• It's really important to know yourself and know your own body and mind. - Denise McGinley
• From a health promotion perspective, prevention is the big thing. - Denise McGinley

KEYWORDS

#stress #burnout #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #cortisol #mindfulness #sleep #socialprescribing, #wellbeing

Constant notifications, endless scrolling, and the pressure to stay connected have become a silent source of stress for many of us. Our hyper-digital world promises connection but can more often leave us feeling isolated, distracted, and emotionally depleted.

Today we unpack the complex relationship between social media and mental wellbeing, and the true impact of our online lives. We explore the psychological effects of digital engagement and dopamine-driven doom scrolling, along with strategies for setting healthier boundaries, recognising signs of digital overload, and introducing mindful practices that support balance and calm.

Our expert guest has a wealth of experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care and is passionate about how we can live more consciously in a connected world. It's a pleasure to have Senior Clinical Psychologist at St. John of God University Hospital, Dr Amy Watchorn.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Understanding digital addiction symptoms like anxiety and disconnection
• How social media taps into the brain’s dopamine-driven reward system
• Social comparison that can distort self-image and contribute to unrealistic expectations
• Practical advice on mindful awareness and setting boundaries
• Bridging generational tech gaps between parents and young people

GUEST DETAILS

Dr Amy Watchorn is a Senior Clinical Psychologist working in St John of God University Hospital and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Psychology. She holds a Graduate Degree in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin, a Master’s Degree in Clinical Neuroscience from University College London and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from University of Limerick.

She has a background working with various groups including people struggling with personality disorders, dual diagnosis, depression and anxiety. She currently works as part of an inpatient addictions team and has a strong interest in this area, including involvement in research regarding the impact of addiction on people’s mental health.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/dr-amy-watchorn-754091a7

MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about the work of the St John of God University Hospital visit stjohnofgodhospital.ie

QUOTES

If they can't just spend an hour away from their phone, then maybe they need to think about whether or not this is becoming problematic. - - Dr Amy Watchorn

You’ve got to remember that online, everyone is living their best lives. - Dr Amy Watchorn

We weren't born to communicate this way. Our brains are not a good fit for the amount of information that's being thrown at us. - Dr Amy Watchorn

You're not getting that holistic experience of tone, body language, all those nuances that are actually much more important for communication. - Dr Amy Watchorn

KEYWORDS

#Socialmedia #mentalhealth #addiction #dopamine #anxiety #mindfulness #technology