CONNECTING with nature is at the heart of a happy and healthy life, according to new research.

The University of Derby carried out an impact study into 30 Days Wild - a month-long nature challenge, run by The Wildlife Trusts - and it revealed sustained increases in participants’ happiness, health, connection to nature and positive environmental behaviours, such as feeding the birds.

Dr Miles Richardson, head of psychology at the University of Derby, who conducted the study, said: “Two months after taking part in 30 Days Wild, the number of people reporting their health as excellent increased by over 30 per cent. And that improvement in health was influenced by the improvements in happiness and connection with nature.

“The impact of 30 Days Wild adds to the compelling argument for bringing nature into our everyday lives.

“Our grand challenges, such as health and declining biodiversity, require large-scale interventions and the evaluation of 30 Days Wild provides good evidence that time in, and a connection with, nature can bring sustained benefits to public health, reducing demands on our health services, while also improving pro-nature behaviours.

“Even in urban areas, nature can provide a simple solution to complex problems.”

More than 18,500 people took part in The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild challenge, committing around 300,000 Random Acts of Wildness - different ways to connect with, experience and take action for nature - throughout June 2015.

Lucy McRobert, The Wildlife Trusts’ Nature Matters campaigns manager, said: “Last year, thousands of people undertook Random Acts of Wildness everywhere, from the centre of London to the Outer Hebrides.

“People let their lawns grow wild, adults danced in the rain and made nature cocktails while families created wild works of art, went star-gazing and created homes for wildlife in their gardens. Even people at work found time for wildlife, by taking meetings outside in the sun and transforming work spaces into wildlife habitats.

“The results of our study show that taking part in 30 Days Wild makes people happier, healthier and more connected to nature in the long-term. Importantly it also showed that by looking out for nature on a regular basis people became more likely to care about and protect it – and that’s what we’re all about.”

The initiative will return again this June, with The Wildlife Trusts asking everyone do something wild every day from June 1 to 30. Whether you take time out to simply smell a wildflower, listen to birdsong, explore a local wild place or leave a part of your garden to grow wild for a month.

“We’re here to inspire everyone again - every day throughout June," said Lucy. "Whatever their age, wherever they live, we want everyone to feel they can take part and join thousands of others making nature part of their life.”

To sign up, visit wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild