Nature Reset Wellbeing Program

Supporting MDHS Graduate Researchers’ Mental Health and Wellbeing through Nature

What is the Nature Reset Program?

The Nature Reset Program is designed to support graduate researchers by fostering long‑term, mindful engagement with nature. Through immersive activities in the Royal Botanic Gardens, you’ll learn practical strategies to reduce stress, enhance focus, and build emotional resilience skills that support you throughout your candidature and beyond.

The program combines:

  • Guided nature walks in the Royal Botanic Gardens from March to July 2026
  • A Mental health and wellbeing workshop in September 2026

Who Runs the Program?

This initiative is led by the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and is fully funded by the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences.

Who Can Participate?

All graduate researchers within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences are eligible to participate in the program free of charge.

Program details

Guided Nature Wellbeing Walks

These 90‑minute sessions will be based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, led by a trained wellbeing program facilitator. Each walk includes:

  • Mindfulness walking
  • Nature journaling
  • Bird observation
  • Learning the health benefits of plants
  • Creative land‑art activities
  • A relaxed tea & scones gathering for peer connection

The Guided Nature Wellbeing Walks will run on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday 24 March 2026, 12:45pm to 14:15pm
  • Wednesday 8 April 2026, 10:15am to 11:45am
  • Thursday 14 May 2026, 10:15am to 11:45am
  • Thursday 4 June 2026, 12:45pm to 14:15pm
  • Friday 10 July 2026, 12:45pm to 14:15pm

Bookings are essential as places are limited

Book your place now!

Mental Health & Wellbeing Workshop

Following the walks, you’ll be invited to a practical workshop on 10 September 2026, led by Rachel Liang, Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. You’ll learn how to integrate nature‑based strategies into everyday life and participate in a group discussion on building sustainable wellbeing routines. 

Why Participate?

Graduate researchers often experience high stress, isolation, and cognitive overload.  The Nature Reset Program aims to help by:

  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Improving concentration and clarity
  • Enhancing creativity
  • Increasing self‑awareness
  • Strengthening peer connection
  • Promoting sustainable daily habits that support wellbeing

What participants are saying

“The Botanic Gardens felt completely new to me this time. I really enjoyed discovering things I’d never noticed before.”
- March 2026 session participant

“I felt very calm and relaxed after the walk.”
- March 2026 session participant

“It was such a calm and peaceful experience, and the weather was perfect. I explored parts of the Gardens I’d never been to before.”
- March 2026 session participant

Still got questions?

Contact Alice Zeng, Graduate Research Program Coordinator, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

MSPGH-GRProgram@unimelb.edu.au