This World Wetlands Day, Friday, February 2, WWT Slimbridge wants everyone to duck the stress of modern living and visit their local wetland for a moment of calm.

Research has shown that just ten minutes in a wetland setting - spaces like a marsh, lake or river - is enough to boost your mood, and WWT wants to share the stress-busting power of wetlands with as many people as possible this year.

To get more people visiting blue spaces WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife has announced that for the World Wetlands Day weekend (February 2-4) any paying visitor or WWT member visiting their sites, including WWT Slimbridge, will be able to bring a friend for free.

From February 2-4, visitors can try one of WWT Slimbridge's daily activities:

• Make a nature journal to take around the site and start filling in using prompts.
• Share the love and hug a tree! Wetlands are great for biodiversity so there's a tree for everyone at WWT Slimbridge.
• Find slow-looking prompts in the South Lake Discovery Hide, Peng Observatory and Estuary Tower or choose a spot and focus on how nature moves, connects and flows together for five minutes. Grab a nature pattern trail and explore the site through its winter patterns.
• Unwind and reawaken the senses on an accessible wellbeing walk, pre-bookable via WWT Slimbridge's website.

More widely, WWT will be recommending some of the UK's other best wetlands and sharing the sights and sounds of wetlands digitally for those who can't visit a blue space in person over the World Wetlands Day weekend.

Gary Haseley-Nejrup at WWT Slimbridge said: "At WWT we celebrate wetlands 365 days a year, but World Wetlands Day helps us bring even more people to our sites to share the beauty and serenity of these super-powered habitats.

"With the theme of World Wetlands Day this year focusing on wetlands and human wellbeing, it's the perfect weekend to share a moment of calm with your friends and loved ones."

World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on February 2, aims to raise awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet.