With summer in full swing, you may be spending more time outside than usual. Being out in the warm weather is an enjoyable way to spend time with friends and family, but did you know it also has excellent effects on your health?

Numerous studies have shown that those who spend more time in green spaces report less mental distress, less anxiety and depression, feel less stressed, and have overall greater wellbeing than those who don’t. And if you live in a city, fear not, urban spaces such as parks and gardens also have a positive impact on mental health.

And the good news doesn’t stop there. Being outdoors promotes other healthy activities, such as walking, cycling, and jogging. Regular exercise has been proven to improve mental health, as well as increase energy, and even reduce the risk of conditions such as cancer, obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Get inspired to get outdoors.

So, you’re ready to reap the benefits of more time spent among nature! Continue reading for some outdoor-activity ideas to get you going.

Try forest bathing.

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan as a way of disconnecting from technology and everyday stresses, and reconnecting with nature through our five senses.

To do it, head to a forest trail, wooded area, or even just a local park with some trees. Make sure to turn  your devices off and start to wander wherever your body tells you to go. You don’t need a particular destination in mind and don’t even need to walk far. Just focus on using all your senses to truly experience the natural world around you. Drink it all in. Can you smell the plants and flowers? Can you hear the birds and animals around you or the sound of the breeze in the trees? How does the bark of the trees feel or the ground under your feet?

Focusing on the natural world around you instead of your internal thoughts and concerns will help you feel calmer and more relaxed, even after you’ve gotten back to the real world.

Take up a green hobby.

Enjoy the benefits of getting out in nature while learning a new skill by taking up a new hobby, such as gardening, painting, or wildlife watching. Learning a new skill as an adult can have the additional benefit of boosting mental power and even protecting against Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, physical activities like gardening can be a great form of weight bearing exercise. The lifting involved can help train and strengthen your muscles, which can improve balance and reduce your risk of falling.

Join a local walking group.

If you’re looking for some company on your outdoor adventures, why not join a local walking group? Easy to find on websites like Facebook and Meetup, being part of an organized group can give you the motivation to regularly get out into the outdoors. It’s also a great way of maintaining an active social life, which has its own benefits for your mental health.

Exercise outdoors.

One of the advantages of spending time outdoors is that it encourages you to do more physical activity. Walking is the obvious choice, but activities such as yoga, stretching, or strength training can all be done outside. If you’d like to get started on your outdoor exercise routine, consider browsing our range of fitness products. You’ll find a wide variety of yoga mats, resistance bands, light weights, and more.

Mobility aids for enjoying the outdoors.

Everyone should have the right to enjoy green spaces and the benefits they bring to your health. If you live with reduced mobility, getting out there might be more difficult, however there are plenty of mobility aids that can help.

The type of mobility aid you choose will depend on your level of ability. If you only need a little extra support with balance, a cane could be the right option for you. The next level up is a walker, which you hold with both hands to take your weight while you step forwards. If you’re less able to walk, a scooter, wheelchair, or power chair can all give you the opportunity to visit green spaces and reap the benefits of spending time in nature.

Although not a mobility aid, walking poles are a popular tool among walking enthusiasts. They offer several benefits, such as protecting your knees from the impact of walking, improving endurance, aiding balance, and improving posture while you walk.

Wellwise by Shoppers™ has a wide range of walking poles and mobility aids available. You can shop them on our website or visit your nearest Wellwise location, where our team will be happy to help you find the right option for you.

The information presented in this blog post is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information in this post as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for professional counseling care. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

Resources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663018/

https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/

https://www.trespass.com/advice/how-to-use-walking-poles/

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/being-active/physical-activity-your-health.html