I’m sure I’m not the only one to have started the year exploring new ways to improve my general wellbeing. As ever, a different exercise programme, tweaks to my diet and learning a new skill have all made it on to the list. But with each year that passes, I realise that nothing fuels my wellbeing as much as spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature and appreciating the simple things in life.
There are so many benefits to being out in the fresh air. On the physical side, spending time in nature has been proven to boost your immune system and can increase fitness. It can also improve sleep and lead to better breathing.
But it’s also in our general wellbeing that we see massive benefits: being exposed to sunlight can help low mood and help our bodies produce vitamin D but even something as basic as watching the changing foliage as we move through the season can be wonderfully restorative. In fact, there’s even some evidence to suggest that trees produce a calming effect on our brains.
Naturally, we all have varying amounts of free time available to spend outdoors and where we live will inevitably impact on what we can do. But if you can, try to incorporate a couple of these ideas over the coming year and set aside a little bit of ‘me’ time to spend outdoors.
Take a Hike
Whether it’s a gentle one hour stroll through the woods, a more challenging full day excursion or a week-long hiking holiday, a walk in nature is the ultimate escape from everyday stresses and niggles. Take note of the birds and the local flora and fauna, learn to identify wildflowers and don’t forget to look up to marvel at the changing cloud formations. Lastly, don’t be put off by bad weather – just make sure you’re dressed to cope with all eventualities.
Pack a Picnic
What is it about eating outdoors that makes food taste so delicious? On our hiking holidays, guests look forward to exploring the local gastronomy on our gourmet picnics, often enjoyed in spectacular locations. But whether it’s a gastronomic picnic in the Alps, a barbecue on the beach or a cheese sandwich in the woods, rarely does food taste as good as when you eat it outdoors!
So pack up a sandwich or a flask of coffee with a sweet treat and enjoy the indulgence of picnicking in the local park or even in your garden.
Take Your Grandchildren to the Park
Keep everyone happy by taking your grandchildren to the park. Their parents will be delighted to have an hour or two ‘off duty’, the kids will love it and you can enjoy the great outdoors with them without worrying about having to clear up post-visit!
Walk with a Friend
Do you regularly meet a special friend, or group of friends for a coffee or lunch? Why not swap that meet-up with a walk and time spent outdoors? Apart from enjoying the exercise and fresh air together, you’ll find that conversations reach deeper levels when you’re walking alongside someone than when you’re looking at them directly.
Swap the Treadmill or Gym for Outdoor Exercise
We all know that keeping fit and active as we age is vital and often the easiest way to do that is at the gym. But gym workouts aren’t for everyone and notching up the miles on a treadmill can be monotonous.
Think about swapping one gym visit a week for a session outdoors. Rope in a friend to join you on a gentle jog through local woods or to the park where you might even find an outdoor circuit track. If not, look for a fallen log – ideal for press ups, triceps dips and quad and glute-strengthening step ups.
Go for a Dip
Cold water or even ice swimming has its fans, and with good reason. All sorts of evidence suggest a whole range of benefits, from boosting our immune system and reducing inflammation to improving our mood. Others report an increased focus and reduction in stress and anxiety. Either way, if you think wild swimming in the local lake or river is for you, get acclimatised to cooler waters in the summer months and work up gradually to colder temperatures.
But outdoor swimming needn’t necessarily be all about hurling yourself in freezing water and there’s much to be said for heading for an outdoor pool, where the water temperature may be kept at a refreshing 20°-22°. At this temperature, you’ll want to swim faster than in an indoor pool but will be able to swim for longer than would be possible in really cold waters. But best of all, you’ll be swimming with nothing but the sky above you, surrounded by the great outdoors.
Try Foraging
Foraging is a wonderful way of increasing the amount of time you spend outdoors and will also help you connect with nature. In Italy, where I spend much of my time, autumn truffle hunting and foraging for fungi takes you deep into ancient woodland and yields some delicious culinary produce.
When I visit the UK, I forage for wild garlic, elderflower, nettles and, of course, blackberries for delicious pies. Needless to say, it’s important to forage responsibly, ensuring you can positively identify any plant before picking it, and only picking from areas with a plentiful supply. In some areas, it’s also important to seek permission before foraging.
Enjoy Gardening
Spending time in a garden can be the ultimate mood booster. If you’re lucky enough to have your own garden, then you’ll be familiar with the joy of pottering and doing the odd bit of weeding. Being active in the garden will definitely increase your physical good health but even simply being amongst nature can reduce anxiety and improve your wellbeing. Even if you just have access to a courtyard or balcony, growing your own vegetables or plants gets you outside and is a great mood booster.
Create an Outdoor Living Space
Not everyone who has a garden is a keen gardener; sometimes it’s good just to be outside and appreciate nature. You can also increase the amount of time you spend in your garden or even on a balcony by creating an outdoor living space. If where you live is prone to erratic weather, an awning, outdoor canopy or even fixed roof will increase the amount of time you spend outside. Fill the space with comfy furniture, large pots, plants and even rugs and you’ll find yourself reluctant to be indoors.
Ride a Bike
Did you think your bike riding days were behind you? Cycling is a great form of exercise for older people, a way to maintain or improve your cardiovascular fitness, and excellent for motor coordination. As it’s a low-impact activity, it’s less hard on muscles and joints than, for example, running.
And if you’re concerned about cycling on road, the good news is that cycle paths and designated routes away from the road are popping up all over the place, making cycling a brilliant way to enjoy the great outdoors.
Editor’s Note: Images courtesy of Hedonistic Hiking.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
How much time do you spend outdoors each day? What’s your favourite way of spending time outdoors? Have you increased the amount of time you spend outdoors in recent years?
