During the winter, people like to spend more time indoors as it’s warmer - it makes sense. However, if we spend too much time indoors, we can do damage to our bodies by not getting enough exercise and a lack of exposure to daylight.
Most of us have experienced the sense of calm that comes with time spent in the outdoors. The fresh air and distractions of nature soothe the mind and anxieties can be put on the back burner.
What are some fun and simple things that you can do outside to blow those cobwebs away and re-energise yourself?
- Listen - You’ll be amazed how many birds you can hear if you take a moment to really listen to nature. Even when you’re inside, you can close your eyes and imagine the birds singing, rippling water or the wind breathing movement into trees. Spotify has a wealth of nature sounds to enjoy.
- Tune in to chill out - Find yourself a quiet place, close your eyes, focus on your breath and relax. Picture a happy memory when you were surrounded by nature. Notice the sounds, the cool air on your face, the sensation of the sun, your footsteps on the snow. You can find many online mindfulness tools on YouTube.
- Be curious - When outside, focus on nature's gifts - things such as trees, wildlife, snow and ice. Get curious, pick things up, reach out and touch. On snowy days, you can always have fun making snow angels or by catching snowflakes on your tongue!
- Natural exercise Take a lunchtime walk in your local park or exercise outdoors - even in winter. Create your own outdoor gym with logs for steps and weights, secure garden benches for jumps, and trees for working out the triceps. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing.
- Bring nature indoors - Bring nature into your living room through the eyes of great nature broadcasters on TV, like BBC’s David Attenborough documentaries. Keep pot plants in your home and hang images of nature on your walls - studies show this can improve your health and wellbeing.
Visit myWellbeing to find out more information about health and wellbeing. #InItTogether
