Do you feel that? The crisp air touching your face, the wind in your hair, the spring in your step. No? That’s because you’re sitting inside. Go on, get out there! life outdoors
Spring has arrived, meaning now is the best time to begin or rekindle your relationship with nature, especially as the pandemic has restricted us to our living rooms so much over the last year. There’s something magical about being amongst nature that can calm the spirit, all you need is your intuition and a little bit of birdsong.
Wondering whether you should be stepping out into the great outdoors a little more often, or simply why people go on about it so much? Here we list four of the most compelling benefits of getting out into nature and where to go to make the most of it. life outdoors
Grounding Life outdoors
We weren’t intended to be stuck behind four walls every moment of every day. The quiet calm of nature – swaying trees, a trickling river, birdsong – can almost instantly lift your mood and help you regain balance. Modern technology and fast-paced living can have us zooming (literally) along at a hundred miles per hour, so the calming contrast of nature can have a soothing effect on the mind, reducing anxiety and grounding you back to the earth.
Keeping active Life outdoors
Exercise comes a lot more naturally when we’re in large open spaces, so routinely getting out of the house for a brisk walk, jog or yoga in the park can help to keep you fit and healthy. Hikes are also a great way of absorbing nature and keeping fit at the same time.
Getting outside and keeping active means your sleep will benefit from your budding relationship with nature too.
Vitamin D and stress relief
Simply being among nature lowers blood pressure and reduces the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline. It’s as easy as that! Also, by getting out into nature even just a couple of times a week, you are allowing your body to take in all the natural goodness provided by sunlight. Vitamin D is important for your bones, blood cells and immune system. Natural light also tends to elevate people’s mood as opposed to being stuck inside looking at a screen – it’s a win-win.
Enhanced creativity
Nature is all around us, but we’re often too busy with work or preoccupied with errands that we forget to step outside. Many poets, artists and other creative minds throughout history have gained great inspiration from wildlife and green landscapes, and so can you. Changing your surroundings and getting some fresh air can spark creativity and inspire the mind.
Life outdoors: where should you go?
So, you’ve read the benefits of getting out into nature, pulled yourself away from your desk and opened up the front door. There are lots of places to explore in the great outdoors that can elicit the benefits of getting out in the open. By heading outside more often you might even discover a new set of interests or a fun hobby to get stuck into.
Woodland and forests
The UK (and the European continent) is sprinkled with vast stretches of woodland for you to explore. Forest bathing is the Japanese practice of relaxation that simply consists of immersing yourself in woodland environments and enjoying the peace this brings. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and rest under the canopy of trees for a while.
Lakes and rivers
Being near water is said to calm the mind and provide a deep sense of stillness and serenity, so seeking out your nearest body of water could help you regain some balance. This doesn’t need to be a lake or a waterfall. If you live in a city, a canal, a small stream or even an artificial lake will do the trick.
Hills and mountains
Peaks and valleys are a great way to admire the wonders of the outdoors and clear the mind. You might not live near any large mountains but climbing up countryside hills and looking out across the fields can be a great way to take in nature. Get out there during sunset or sunrise for added tranquillity.
You don’t have to make a cross-country trip to the biggest stretches of natural beauty in order to benefit from being outside. Simply getting some fresh air in your local neighbourhood can help you to feel grounded and revitalised. By switching up your surroundings you will stimulate your senses and the natural world will take you where you need to go.
Picture: Gary Barnes
