NEWS
The Benefits of Spending Time in Nature
Something for you all to think about, the Mental Health Organisation have found that the vast majority of us have been so stressed at times that we have felt unable to cope and overwhelmed. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to help reduce your stress. One of the ways you can do this is by taking -literal- steps in nature.
Studies have found that spending time in nature can:
- help reduce stress
- help reduce depression
- help reduce fatigue
- increase your energy
- increase your attention span and focus
- help lower disease risk such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and high blood pressure.
- help support your immune system.
What are good ways to spend time in nature?
- Go for a walk, cycle or run
- Garden
- Volunteer
- Weather permitting, do things outside that you might not normally do i.e. have your morning tea in the garden, read in the garden or park, take your sketch pad down the park etc
- Any other exercise you can think to do in nature. U3a do a weekly Tai Chi class in the park and don’t forget there’s Hawk & Heath that do forest bathing as well as a variety of social walking groups that will get you out in nature
Nature is so beneficial to our health that even doctors are starting to prescribe it to patients.
So, don’t hold back- pop your shoes on and pop outside and find some green space to enjoy.
More information on the studies that show how exercise in green space can benefit people>