I tend to spend less time outside in bad weather and in winter. This is mainly due to the great British weather. Although I have all the correct wet weather gear, I hate getting wet and cold. However, I notice a massive difference in my mental health if I have a few days with out walking in nature.
Recently I have been increasing my steps. This is in order to lose weight and for my general health. I motivate myself by writing. I thought that I would remind myself of the benefits of walking in nature and share them with you. Hopefully this will motivate me to go out tomorrow as I have been a bit lazy today.
1. Fresh air cleanses our lungs and improves our breathing. This in turn improves our mood as the increased oxygen to the brain improves our cognitive thinking.
2. Nature naturally calms us. It lowers our blood pressure and calms the mind. It also improves sleep.
3.Walking outdoors releases endorphins which make us feel happier
4. It improves our mental health
5. Time in nature clears the mind of clutter and helps us concentrate and become more mindful.
6. Time in nature can increase memory by 20% and has been proven to reduce the risk of dementia.
7. Walking in nature can reduce asthma as trees absorb air born pollutants.
8. Being out in nature disconnects us from stress.
9. Walking teaches us endurance as you can’t just stop and give up in the middle of a walk if you are tired. You have to get back to your car or your home.
10. When out walking we appreciate the simple things and it reminds us how insignificant we are and our connection to nature. It puts life into perspective.
11. We increase our vitamin D when outside and strengthen our immune system.
12. Walking in nature has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety
13. Exercise in nature increases our energy and vitality.
14. It decreases the risk of strokes, heart attacks and diabetes when we walk at a moderate level regularly.
15. Walking on hills is good for our core and our muscles in general, and the whole body can get a work out and tone if you use poles.
16. It burns calories and so reduces obesity.
17. Walking increases bone density and is good for bone health.
18. It improves our general fitness
Walking in nature is a simple, frugal way to spend time whilst reaping benefits. Apparently most of us only spend 3% of our time in nature now adays. No wonder the Nations health is declining. As a kid I would be out from down until dusk with my little bag with a sandwich, a drink and a Penguin biscuit. I would build dens, climb trees, pick fruit and throw sticks for conkers at this time of the year. Right. No more excuses! Is anybody else spending time walking in nature today?
Just two quick “city” walks yesterday and today as the temps have gone back up to about 27C. I find that I tend to be outdoors more in the Fall and Winter rather than our very hot and humid Summers. I’m lucky to live by a river with a couple of different walking trails and the bus across the street gets me down to Lake Ontario in less than 15 minutes so I enjoy working there. Even from where I work in downtown Toronto I can walk down to the lake in about 10 minutes – and will start to do that more as soon as the weather cools down. I go in to the office 3 mornings a week – I leave at about 1pm so lots of time for a nice walk. Fall here is wonderful and the best time for lots of walks and I am looking forward to it.
I have seen pictures of Canada in the fall and it does look beautiful. Thanks for sharing
I go out every morning with the pooch, I love our early morning walk, the air is fresh, the birds are singing and everything is right with the world, if for some reason I don’t get out first thing I feel “off” for the rest of the day. In the winter hubby does the evening walk as I can’t see in the dark.
With a pooch we have to get out whatever the weather, I just wish I could find a pair of waterproof trousers that didn’t rustle 😂😂
Yes they do make a noise don’t they? I have noticed from videos that I have made that I can’t walk quietly any more. I am either trudging or breathing loudly, lol. Your morning walks sound idyllic. thanks for sharing
I am trying to improve my health too and I am aiming for 10,000 steps a day. Some days it has been easy, others not so much, especially when it’s raining. However, it is a lovely feeling returning home from a rainy walk. So I will try and think of that feeling to convince myself to get out during the winter. I have noticed I sleep much better when I have been out for a good walk. Thanks for your inspiration and ideas.
Well done with the steps. Yes 10,000 steps is my daily goal as well which I find easy in summer, but not in winter. Hopefully this year I will be able to motivate myself as you do. I hope that your health improves with all your effort and thanks for sharing.
Had a lovely walk today first one in months, knees were aching but definitely improved my mood.
Lovely blog today thank you Toni
Aww good for you. Yes lots of times I don’t feel like going for a walk, but I never wish I hadn’t afterwards. Thanks for sharing
I try to walk every day, but this summer my asthma has been bad probably the weather so less walking. I few years ago I was not able to walk as I needed a hip replacement and I felt miserable but fortunately I had it done quickly.
You are lucky. We have family that have waited years. Sorry you have not been able to walk as much this year.
Apparently walking near pine trees is especially good for us as they release a helpful chemical. And walking in or immediately after rain is also good due to the negative ions and chemicals released by the plants.
Yes a lot of studies were done in Japan. I always feel better after a walk in the woods. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Sorry, the negative ions are released by the rain, I released that my previous comment could have been confusing!
They absolutely are. Thanks for making that clear
I’ve just seen an article that said humans can see more shades of green than any other colour. Interesting.
I didn’t know that. I am partly colour blind and often can not distinguish between greens, blues and purples. Maybe more time in nature will help me. Thanks for sharing
Because i sit all day at my job, its difficult for me to reach the 10,000 steps per day. So i found another solution:
Enter Interval Walking Training (IWT), which originated in Japan.
This 3X3 walking workout is simple: you do 3 minutes of low-intensity walking (40% of peak aerobic capacity for walking — a little faster than a stroll), followed by 3 minutes of high-intensity walking (70%+ of peak aerobic capacity for walking). You repeat these interval sets at least 5 times, and do this 30-minute workout 4 times a week.
I have fun with it and it’s just 30min instead of the 2 hours a day I would need for the 10,000 steps.
That sounds brilliant. Thanks. I am going to give it a try. Thanks