Study after study shows that time spent outdoors is not only beneficial for our physical health but is also great for our Mental Health – a double win!
The interesting thing about most of this research is that it’s not big dramatic challenges like scaling a mountain or running a marathon that work best – its simple everyday activities that are accessible to nearly everyone.
We try and run all of our sessions outdoors for a reason – people engage more and always report a better experience – so I thought I’d write up a top 3 things you can do to give yourself a boost…
Go for a walk...every day
Just head out whatever. This is important for lots of reasons – exercise, a change of scene, you’re proving to yourself that you can. You’re making time for yourself – starting to prioritise yourself and your wellbeing is fundamental to making yourself resilient and healthy.
Contrary to popular belief it isn’t the first step that’s the toughest – it’s the keeping going. But when you do the benefits actually compound – so lots of little walks are much better for you than one long walk. And yes – in the UK it might rain – a cheap umbrella will keep you dry – and you’ll feel like a hero for going anyway.
Notice something new
I spend a huge amount of time outdoors – and yet there is always something new to notice. And each time I notice a ‘new to me’ thing I feel a little more connected to my environment.
I also feel a sense of achievement. And as I connect to the external world a bit more I’m able to disconnect from some of the internal ‘noise’ a bit more too. These tiny lichens are a great example – they’re present all year round (there are 1700 species in the UK) and yet most people never notice them!
Sit & Listen
You don’t have to physically push yourself – and anywhere outside that is mostly a natural environment works – so a park a local field, a wood – but once you’ve found a quiet spot to sit spend some time listening to the world outside – really listen, concentrate, what can you hear?
There’s usually much more than people think. Bird song, the differences in it, the wind in trees, the sounds of moving water – the sound of rain on that umbrella. Silence – possibly the most important sound of all – really focus on it, enjoy it, let it work its magic on you. Personally I also like to listen out for the occasional sounds of man – a passing car, a distant plane, the jogger that ran past – and acknowledge how transient they are, how nature and the real world continues long after they’re past.
Finally...
We’ll each find our own slightly unique twist – I’ve friends who collect leaves to identify at home, I know people who collect pebbles to make art – but each of them say that as well as the physical exercise they find time spent in nature recharges them mentally – maybe its time you gave it a go?