It has long been recognised that being outdoors can have a multitude of benefits to your mental and physical wellbeing. If not just to clear your mind, stretch your tired muscles or experience a change of scene. It seems, that this year, more than any other, many of us have felt the benefits of the great outdoors.
A study by the University of Cumbria in August 2020, reported that the first UK national lockdown in March saw all age groups spending more time in nature daily and that the importance of protecting nature in future was more significant.
Perhaps the limitations on activity and travel, allowed us to see more clearly what was right in front of us, to appreciate the beauty on our doorstep. Also, to get outside and be active, to nurture and take care of our physical beings as well as our minds. For many, that search for a green space or a new walk within our small limits, the hour permitted for exercise, was the highlight of our day.
In May 2020, the Guardian also highlighted that 1 in 8 of UK households do not have access to a garden, making this search for outdoor space and fresh air even more paramount. This even led to many people living in cities to rethink their lifestyles and consider moving into the countryside, creating a housing boom and driving up house prices in rural areas.
It’s clear that the desire for the outdoor space, the freedom of green areas and access to fresh air on our doorsteps, is more important to us than ever. Wherever we live, we are feeling the benefits of getting outside in more ways.
Mental Health charity Mind UK highlight several benefits for grabbing your walking shoes and getting a regular dose of fresh air. They state spending time in nature can:
– improve your mood
– reduce feelings of stress or anger
– help you take time out and feel more relaxed
– improve your physical health
– improve your confidence and self-esteem
– help you be more active
– help you make new connections
– provide peer support
Mind also notes that spending time in nature can be helpful for aiding mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression. For example,
“Research into ecotherapy (a type of formal treatment which involves doing activities outside in nature) has shown it can help with mild to moderate depression. This might be due to combining regular physical activity and social contact with being outside in nature.
Being outside in natural light can also be helpful if you experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that affects people during particular seasons or times of year. And people tell us that getting into nature has helped them with many other types of mental health problems.”
It can also be argued that the outdoors and physical exercise can be beneficial to our creativity and productivity too. Studies have noted the effects of a change in surroundings on the imagination and the outdoors in improving our moods and concentration.
Suzi Tarrant is head of staff wellbeing at Hywel Dda and following the start-up of her own business in Narberth, providing psychotherapy sessions in a safe space indoors, she has recently expanded to offer sessions outside in nearby woodland.
She says,
“My love for the natural living world and personal experience of recovery and sanctuary in outdoor spaces has led me to take my psychotherapy practice out of the consulting room and into nature. I offer one to one therapy for adults online or outdoors in the beautiful woodland and river landscapes around Narberth. Being out in nature brings a richness and power to the process at many levels. We can work with story, metaphor, mindfulness and movement, developing nature connectedness to support you in your process of healing and self-discovery.”
Suzi states the positive effects of being outdoors on mental health as invaluable.
“Being outdoors in nature brings a myriad of benefits to our mental health and wellbeing. We can feel soothed and restored, uplifted and filled with wonder. These positive impacts can be achieved just by spending time outside in nature, noticing with all our senses – and the effects are enhanced when we engage mindfully and with intention.”
Suzi also talks about ‘small nature’, the
“every day, local nature in our back gardens, on our doorsteps, in our local park. More immersive experiences within a complex and biodiverse landscape (such as one of our ancient woodlands or along our beautiful coastline) can offer deeper restoration. So, spending time in green and blue spaces that are meaningful and beautiful to you can form an invaluable part of self-care practice.”
Of course, it’s not just about green spaces, but beaches, coastlines and seascapes too. An open, outdoor space in any form, can expand the mind and ease many tensions. It’s about what is most accessible and effective to the individual.
In the summer, Life Seeker covered the Fresh Air Friday breathing space sessions, which had moved online due to lockdown restrictions. Course leaders Ruth Steggles and Rosie Dixey meet small groups of individuals outside for the sessions (now socially distanced), which are currently only offered in England. However, they have recently launched a new project online titled ‘pathways to happiness’ which will help to take their sessions outdoors and make them accessible to anyone, using the power of digital technology and sound. The 12 self-paced audio sessions can be enjoyed alone, in the participator’s own time and if desired they can attend an online session to share their findings with others.
Rosie noted in the article, the power of the outdoors for connection and development,
“Connection is so important. Walking outside and fresh air provides a safe space and gets your mind working in a different way. It gives people that pause to reflect and make changes to their lifestyle.”
With more facilities being taken outdoors for the benefit of its users, it demonstrates that now more than ever, the outdoors is becoming an increasingly valuable, and necessary space for us all.
Enjoy your own piece of the outdoors in West Wales by joining one the West Wales Walks for Wellbeing.
Find out more about Suzi Tarrant’s outdoor psychotherapy here.
Visit Mind UK for more tips on the benefits of being outdoors.
