The UK is currently enjoying the lovely sunny, spring weather which we have all been waiting for. The benefit of spring is that everyone’s getting outdoors a lot more often. I absolutely love spending time outdoors, whether it’s going for long walks, having fun with friends and family, or simply to just to have some alone time to yourself – in your own little bubble listening to your personal music playlists on the go. I’m a huge animal lover. So when I watch dogs run around and play, that really puts a smile on my face.
Being outdoors and staying connected to nature can provide a lot of health benefits. Some facts I have learned:
- It can improve your mood
- Reduce feelings of stress and anger
- Helps you feel more relaxed
- Improves your physical health
- It improves your confidence and self-esteem
- Helps you to become more active – good weather draws people outside and will want to take part in more sports or other fun activities.
- Helps everyone in the community to connect. You can meet new people e.g. if you have a dog it can be the perfect icebreaker to socialise.
I do a lot of walking and most certainly a lot more since Covid. So today was a perfect day to go for my usual 2-3 mile walk at my local park. However, after I completed the full circuit, I decided, You know what? I am going to keep on going and managed to do 5.5 miles. The sun beaming certainly increases more serotonin and I could have kept on going but my hunger got the better of me. Haha! Legs are stiff, sweating from the heat, a little tired but did I enjoy it? Yes!
I know in these tough times it is very easy to want to just curl up in bed and forget life’s troubles. But trust me, you will immediately feel so much better once you’re outside. We need to be around nature because it provides us with what we need to survive. Below are some snaps I took this afternoon. It really is beautiful..
Butterflies and Rainbows - Katie's Journey 