How Does Being Outdoors Improve Mental Health?
When I say outdoors, I don’t just mean trekking in the hills, walking along the coast or cycling through beautiful countryside. The benefits of nature and getting outdoors can come in so many different forms; we can trek, run, cycle, swim, climb, kayak, play a variety of different sports, gardening – I believe even walking to the local shops can have a calming effect and be hugely beneficial instead of driving.
For myself, personally one of the best things I ever did was to start cycling to and from work. I used to get the bus to and from work every day, spent all day in the office, my kids would get work mode Matt on my return, not Dad. Why? Because I hadn’t been able to properly unwind.
Once I started to cycle to work, the change in me, my moods, my thinking was extraordinary… Ask my kids! Then I added going for a walk as part of my routine (with a 4 legged companion!), some of my best ideas or decisions have been made whilst outdoors, whether that is on a personal level or professionally. Ensuring that I spend more time in nature whilst trying to be Dad, husband and playing my part within two businesses is now one of the most important aspects of my life.
As everyone’s life gets quicker, busier, more pressurised and technological advances mean instant gratification becomes the norm, I feel being able to switch off and lower stress levels is more important than ever before, to endeavour to ensure our mental health is in the best place possible. It gives you time to mull, to think, for me most importantly it gives me the time to consider…why, personally and professionally. Also, if it is good for your mental health, it is likely to be good for your physical health as well.
My personal tip – try not to take your phone or switch it off, we have lived for thousands of years without phones and have rarely got lost!
If motivation is the issue, consider signing up to take part in an event or challenge. This will help motivate you to get outdoors in the fresh air to train or practice, you will also meet likeminded people – maybe even your next best friend!
If you are reading this as a charity or a corporate, consider holding your own event which can achieve all of the above positive effects for your supporters or employees. Just click the button below to get started.
And… Yep, in the main I wrote this in my head whilst out walking! 😊 😊 😊