I never made it onto the athletics team at school. I couldn’t master the high jump, hurdles terrified me, and running at speed was not for me. Age hasn’t changed my preference and I still opt for a ramble over a sprint when it comes to taking a spot of outdoor exercise.
The benefits of ‘soft exercise’
Walking is a ‘soft exercise’ that can help us savour the world around us and reconnect with nature. And there’s more to it than just the slowness of the pace. Walking is not only good for the heart but can strengthen bones and muscles and reduce the risk of strokes and coronary disease. It can also aid mental stimulation and increase levels of serotonin (the feel-good factor) helping us overcome depression and anxiety.
Getting outside, especially in natural spaces, has proven benefits to our overall wellbeing including the way we process creativity and problem solve. For me, it’s those moments of quiet reflection that accompany a stroll through the reserve which give rise to my best ideas. I find motivation and inspiration from witnessing the resilience of nature; birds rebuilding broken nests, the teamwork of an ant convoy transporting food to their colony or parents answering the unending calls of hungry chicks. There’s much we can learn about inner strength from the natural world around us.
Where can we best connect with nature?
If you want to totally de-stress then stop for a moment under a canopy of trees and indulge in a little forest bathing. Switch off from the outside world and as allow the surrounding nature to guide your mood.
Think of it as
Space
Place
Pace
It’s not only green spaces that support our physical and mental health, blue spaces such as rivers and lakes are just as beneficial. The sight, smell and sound of the sea inspires contemplation and relaxation allowing busy minds to drift away. Physically we benefit from an environment that has more sunlight (lots of that lovely Vitamin D coming our way) and is probably less polluted. This cleaner, fresher air can promote improved sleep.
Need that adrenaline?
If you want to notch it up a bit and get the adrenalin flowing, there are plenty of outdoor activities that will give your physical and mental wellbeing a boost. Whether you are cycling, rambling, doing a spot of yoga or wild swimming, taking exercise outside is a great way to boost your mood and get winter-soft muscles moving. Studies over lockdowns showed that when we exercise in natural environments, we don’t feel as if we are pushing ourselves as much. By not being in the gym, the pressure is off and stress hormones drop to normal levels.
Whether you’re jogging at dawn, practicing Pilates at sunset or spending an idle afternoon strolling through mossy woodlands, there are proven benefits for being outdoors and spending time in nature. It’s important in busy lives, that can often be frenetic, to slow the pace and take time out to boost our physical and mental wellbeing.