Time spent in nature has a number of benefits for both emotional and physical health – and it doesn’t take long to feel the effects. In our latest blog post, we look at ways to enjoy the health benefits of nature.

The health benefits of spending time in nature
Spending time in green spaces can help to clear your mind and bring you into the present. In today’s digital world, many of us find ourselves spending countless hours indoors staring at our devices. It’s no news that our physical environment plays a big role in our mental health and general wellbeing. So, going for a walk, gardening or exercising outside can have lots of positive effects on your wellbeing. This includes reducing feelings of stress and anger; improving your mood; and increasing your self-esteem and confidence.

Creative outdoor activities
You don’t have to climb mountains or surf waves to feel the true benefits of nature. The people that truly understand the value of time spent outdoors, make breathing fresh air an everyday habit. Here’s a couple of alternative ideas to help you spend more time in nature:

• Go stargazing – There are so many stargazing websites and apps to help you recognise different stars. Remember that it can take up to 20 minutes before your eyes fully adjust to seeing stars in the dark!
• Join a local walking or rambling group – Being part of a group can help to give people an additional boost if they’re not feeling completely enthusiastic about exercising. There are lots of websites to help you locate a local walking group.
• Try geocaching – Do you enjoy scavenger hunts? If so, geocaching may be your new favourite hobby. Geocaching is an exciting outdoor adventure for the whole family. All you need is a handheld GPS or smart phone to start searching for small waterproof treasure boxes hidden outside. Download the free geocaching app to find out more.
• Go beachcombing – Spending time combing the beach for unexpected finds is a relaxing way to enjoy the beach at any time of the year. You can look for textured driftwood, smooth sea glass and interesting pebbles.
  

Don’t worry if some of these ideas don’t feel right for you – see if you can find some that do or adapt a suggestion to suit you.

Bringing nature inside
It’s said that bringing the outdoors inside can have the same effect on your mental health as going for a walk in the countryside. There are so many ways to bring nature into your home, if you’re stuck for ideas and need some inspiration, here’s a couple of suggestions:

• Use house plants to bring the outside indoors – Aside from immediately adding a touch of nature to a space, plants are also known to have air-purifying qualities. You can keep things simple with some hanging plants or get creative and create an entire living wall.
• Making an indoor sunny spot – You can make the most of a sunny spot in your home by creating a comfortable reading nook to soak up that vitamin D.
  
  

Further advice and support
If you’re looking for further support with your mental health and wellbeing, then please see the below resources for more information:
MIND
Mental Health Foundation