As the summer unfolds and holidays take shape, there’s no better time to be outdoors and benefit from the healing properties of fresh air, active pursuits, and sunnier weather. Exercising in nature not only enhances physical health but also plays a significant role in improving mental wellbeing.
This article delves into the health benefits of outdoor exercise, from accessible activities and new adventures to make the most of the UK’s beautiful countryside and coastlines. Whether you’re into camping, cycling, walking, or simply exploring different places, there’s something for everyone.
Reduce stress and boost creativity
One of the most profound benefits of exercising in nature is its ability to reduce stress and improve mood. Engaging in physical activities such as hiking, cycling, or swimming in natural settings can significantly improve your fitness and overall well being. Whatever setting, active hobby, and exercise you prefer, being active in nature can provide a sense of adventure and benefit mental and physical health.
The combination of physical activity and natural surroundings can also help to naturally lower cortisol levels, your body’s primary stress hormone. Additionally, exposure to natural light and fresh air can increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
Studies have shown that spending time in green spaces can lead to significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms. Also known as ‘green therapy’ and ‘ecotherapy’, being outdoors can promote holistic wellbeing with research showing that exposure to the colour green can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive functioning.
Furthermore, walking in natural environments can improve attention, memory, and creativity. The natural stimuli found in outdoor settings provide a gentle, calming effect on the brain, allowing it to reset and function more effectively. Meanwhile, regular outdoor exercise is also known to help strengthen the immune system, making it more resilient to illnesses.
Explore nature in unique ways
If you want to combine a summer trip with being outside more, camping is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in nature. Whether you are happy setting up a tent or more comfortable with the creature-comforts of a designated caravan and motorhome park, spending nights under the stars is unbeatable. A campervan offers the ultimate road trip experience and the UK has a wealth of eco-friendly parks and campsites in scenic locations. In addition, ’wild camping’ experiences are an adventurous way to embrace the beauty of nature with activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, wild swimming, exploring hidden trails, and mountain biking.
Cycling is another fantastic way to get outside in the open air, explore the countryside, and have a great workout. The UK has an extensive network of cycling routes, ranging from leisurely trails to challenging mountain bike paths. Taking you further afield into new undiscovered areas, or on a sponsored cycling adventure, you can set off to explore a different part of the country.
Discover inclusive walks, woods and beaches
For those who prefer a slower pace, walking in unexplored woods, beaches, and along stretches of serene riverbanks can be both peaceful and calming. You might choose to venture into your local woods, head to one of the UK’s nature reserves to hike and spot wildlife, or set off to the coast for a long walk on a sandy beach.
It’s important to remember that not everyone has the same level of mobility or access to outdoor spaces. Many natural areas and outdoor activities are becoming increasingly accessible to individuals with disabilities and go a long way to getting people outside and moving without worrying about their limitations.
There are some great online groups and organisations supporting walkers who may struggle with mobility. The National Trust and Forestry England provide information on accessible routes and facilities. The Outdoor Guide, for instance, is committed to making the UK’s great outdoors inclusive for all, offering wheelchair-friendly walks and suggested trails and routes for people with diverse fitness levels.
Their walks are carefully selected for families using all kinds of wheels, from pushchairs and wheelchairs to bicycles. The organisation also encourages anyone, of any age, who might be struggling with their mental health to ‘Walk Yourself Happy’. For those after more adventure, active holidays and eco-friendly camping projects can attract younger explorers and offer educational activities such as coasteering and fossil hunting. They also provide an appreciation for the wider environmental setting, eco-friendly ways to respect and care for nature, and advocate the personal importance of leading an outdoor lifestyle.
Meanwhile, for anyone who enjoys exploring beaches and swimming outdoors, there are many wonderful beaches and coastal areas across the UK with walking routes, coves, and stunning seas to swim in. The mental health benefits of outdoor swimming or ‘wild swimming’ are well-documented. The recent Wild Swim Project and green social-prescribing study of adults and teenagers suffering from depression and anxiety, reported their happiness increased by 20 per cent following weeks of swimming and their anxiety dropped by 18 per cent.
Fundraise and volunteer
Engaging in outdoor activities can also be a great way to support worthwhile causes. Look out for some fantastic and fun fundraising events, such as charity walks, runs, and bike rides that often take place in beautiful parks and stunning natural settings.
Getting involved in these events is not only a great way to raise money for a cause close to your heart, but it’s also a healthy way to meet people, and boost your physical and mental wellbeing while contributing to a good cause. You might want to join a fundraiser or organise one yourself and challenge friends, family, and colleagues to get active outdoors for a great cause.
During the summer, with more time to spare and warmer weather to take advantage of, there are lots of valuable volunteering options to sign up for locally and nationally. While becoming a volunteer is rewarding in itself, many positions are organised in incredible outdoor settings, in activity camps, animal sanctuaries, and in other charity settings that support people to visit nature and be more active.
With the arrival of summer and schools out, there’s no better time to explore the great outdoors and benefit from the numerous positive physical and mental health benefits of exercising in nature. Whether you’re off camping, cycling on scenic routes, or simply enjoying a peaceful walk in the woods, there are endless fun, valuable, and healthy outdoor activities to enjoy in picturesque settings.
