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Why getting outside is good for you (yes, even if it is a grey, wet day!)
Have you ever noticed how much better you feel when you’re walking in a wood, watching the sun rise or set, when you’re by the sea or walking by the river? Even when the wind is blowing or the rain is coming down, being out in the elements makes us feel more alive. We just feel better somehow. We’re part of nature and it’s part of us so it comes as no surprise that being outside offers a huge amount of benefits but there is increasing research to prove it. Nature supports us in so many ways. It can also be hugely helpful in offering space for us to think, outside of the confines of our office, or other places that perhaps don’t always inspire us, or sometimes inhibit our thinking. Getting outside is scientifically proven* to help with:
- loneliness
- stress
- anxiety
- frustration
- depression
- seasonal affective disorder
- physical health
- general mood
- the ability to slow down and rest
- sense of joy or happiness
- confidence and self-esteem
- sleep problems
- creativity
- productivity
- the ability to connect with other people
- thinking more clearly
- better decision making
*How nature benefits mental health – Mind
The list goes on! I’ve attached some other resources if you’d like to read on further.
Does being in nature mean having to climb a mountain or jump into a cold lake on a cool winter morning?
Of course exercise such as walking, running or cycling offer extra benefits, but immersing yourself in nature doesn’t have to mean climbing mountains or running marathons or doing any activity at all if that’s difficult for any reason. Just sitting outside when that’s all that you can manage at the time can offer many benefits too.
Stop and smell the roses!
Taking some time to consider your priorities and how you can incorporate the natural world into your day will is something I believe can benefit us all. We can find ourselves easily falling into patterns of behaviour that are unhelpful, and unhealthy even. These behaviours are learnt and we can create new ones. Getting into nature doesn’t have to be something that takes up much of your time. You might be surprised at the difference a few minutes will make to your whole day. So take time to literally smell the roses, watch the clouds drift by, and the sun set. Listen to the birds and the rustling of the leaves and feel the breeze on your skin. Don’t be afraid to try new things or go back to things you haven’t done for a while but used to enjoy doing. It’s never too late. You’re never too old. Start now. Make one or two small changes. Small changes lead to big things over time. And above all, enjoy knowing that you have a choice-knowing that changes everything.
The natural world is free, accessible and you don’t have to spend hours immersing yourself in it either. Just twenty minutes or so a day (a minimum of around 2 hours a week is the recommendation to really benefit from it) can give you a boost that will last and help you to navigate the challenges that life offers. And help you to get more enjoyment out of it too.
The recent announcement* that GPs in the UK will be prescribing outdoor activities like walking and cycling reinforces the research. This is an exciting time to try something new or increase the time you already spend outside-knowing that it definitely can make a difference.
*GPs to prescribe walking and cycling in bid to ease burden on NHS
*Walking, wheeling and cycling to be offered on prescription in nationwide trial – GOV.UK
Reframing. Seeing things through a different lens
We know that being outside and moving our bodies is good for our health. The reality is that it isn’t always an easy thing for everyone to do. We have responsibilities and may lack the time, ability, energy or motivation to don walking boots and hike up a hill at the end of a long day. There are times when I don’t find it easy to make the effort to go out, even though I know I’ll be very glad I did once I’m out there.
Here are just a few ideas of how you can incorporate nature into your daily life. Of course getting out into the fresh air and moving your body is important but if you can’t do easily that there are other simple things you can do which will make a difference too.
- Find a bench, take in your surroundings and notice the little things. Feel the air and look up at the sky
- Watch the clouds drift by and the sun set-preferably when you’re outside but you can do it by looking through a window too
- Listen to the birds and the rustling of the leaves
- Feel the breeze or the warmth or coolness of the air on your skin
- Look for the furthest thing you can see . And then look for the closest thing.
- Listen the furthest sound you can hear. And then listen for the nearest.
- Lay a blanket down and look up at the sky.
- Stand next to a tree. Trees themselves have so much to offer-more of that another time!
- Look at the ripples and reflections in the water. Even if it is just a puddle!
- Look at the raindrops on whatever’s around. Look for reflections and listen to the sound the rain makes.
- Stop and literally smell the roses! Or the apples. Or whatever else might be around.
- Walk. Alone or with your dog or with someone else. Put your phone away and use your senses to make the most of the experience. Notice things you wouldn’t usually and try not to let your mind wander too much from what you’re doing in that moment. Your mind will wander, and that’s perfectly natural but when it does gently bring it back to focus on what you’re seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling and maybe even tasting!
- Find a space, pause for a moment or two and just be. Give your senses the time to do the things they naturally do. The things that ground us and make us feel safe and calm. Slow down and breathe. Even if you only do this for a few minutes a day the benefits will last for hours to come. Getting outside in the morning, exposing your eyes to natural daylight, without sunglasses when safe to do so, as soon as you can, and moving your body forwards somehow (walking, running, cycling maybe) is a great way to start the day. It will reduce your stress levels, set your circadian rhythm, and set you up for the day ahead.
- Getting outside also helps you to connect with others.
Authenticity. In our personal and professional life.
We’ll all find being outside benefits us in different ways. Nature plays a huge part in the way I look after myself, and in the way that I work with my clients. I find that people are generally more relaxed, inspired and reflective when they are outside and so I run outdoor coaching/mentoring/wellbeing sessions. They offer the chance to try something different, and enjoy a conversation in an environment which will help to stimulate new ideas and possibilities. It’s also fun. And it doesn’t need to be a hike up a hill. A gentle walk around a park or an area just outside the office, or even sitting on a bench in the fresh air can lead to different insights.
Authenticity is increasingly recognised as a vital part of connecting with colleagues and clients. In the workplace wellbeing is being prioritised, and when people are able to express themselves more rapport and trust is nurtured.
Nature provides me with an environment to work with you in a way which can help you to see things from a different perspective. To be able to reframe and zoom in on particular issues, focus, create breakthroughs and open up new opportunities.
And speaking of environments to work in, my outdoor photography sessions are also designed to be enjoyable and help you to feel relaxed so that I can show the person behind the business. The authentic you. Less of the “say cheese” shots, and more of the real, natural you, to use in your personal and professional life; maybe in your social media profiles and posts or to promote your business.
Personal and family shots are something I offer too. Coaching and photography for me go hand in hand. My passion is people, and helping to bring out the best in them. Helping you to feel more fulfilled and relaxed, and creating an actual and metaphorical image of you as a person, and if applicable as a business owner or leader. So if it’s time to refresh your image, or if you’re somehow stuck or want to explore new opportunities I can help.
More than anything, nature is fun. It can help you to thrive, not just survive. So explore, play around with some ideas and do what makes you feel good.
If you’d like to read more on some of the things that nature has to offer here are some articles you might find interesting:
https://www.mind.org.uk/media/9648/nature-and-mental-health-2021-pdf-for-download-pdf-version.pdf
https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/nature-wellbeing
Karen
Tel: 07941 167 285
Email: contact@karenwcoaching.com
Website: KarenWCoaching.com
