Day 8 - The Great Outdoors!

With a slightly rosy face, following an entire fabulous sunny day outside with my Daughter I decided that what better thing to write about than the great outdoors and some of the benefits of regular fresh air...

In my line of work, there could be a tendency to be stuck indoors staring at a computer screen for hours on end and there was probably a period of time when I first started my social media marketing company, Vision Odyssey, that I didn't see the outside nearly as much as I should have, but I remember vividly how rubbish I felt! Lethargic, unhealthy and actually, aside from work, a pretty lazy version of me started to appear!

For the reasons above, as well as having a little one to take care of and bring up as healthily as I possibly can, of course the need and desire for being outside became huge, so I make a conscious effort to be out of the house as often as I can these days. It's a lot easier to do this since November, when we moved house as now we've got a bigger garden and are in a lovely village with lots to walk to! That lazy version of me hasn't been seen for a long time now and I never want them back! 

Monday is one of my favourite days, as I try to mostly spend the whole time with my Daughter. We have Forest School in the morning for a few hours and sometimes head straight to the North Norfolk coast for a bit of sea air and a spot of lunch afterwards. Today after some hide and seek, bug hunting, mud kitchen time, singing, hot chocolate and malt loaf in the woods we decided to head home as we had some work in the garden to get back to and we were very excited to crack on. So after a picnic lunch on the lawn my lovely green fingered Mum arrived and helped us do all the things we wanted to do, including planting some lettuces, pak choi and a selection of herbs. Apparently it's touch and go whether the lettuces will be a success at the moment with the weather being rather unpredictable, so lots of plants and veg don't know whether they're doing or going, poor souls! The silver lining is that atleast I have the perfect excuse for the potential epic lettuce fail that I may be facing! 'It's not my fault, it's the weather!' Anyway, resounding success or fail it was well worth the fun we had in the mud and with the hose pipe!

               

So, I did mention discussing the benefits of being outside and I thought the best and least boring way to do this would be to list a top 3 for you to consider next time you could be in the garden or taking a little walk instead of cozying up in front of the TV! For me, a little jaunt down the road when I can't get my head around a problem is often the best solution. When I used to run regularly (something I need to do more regularly these days!) I couldn't believe how it cleared my mind. At times all I would think about was the countryside around me, rather than the million and one things that I needed to sort out at work or home!! Fresh air, it's therapy for free! This clear minded time literally never happens to me otherwise (hmmm remind me why I'm not doing this so often anymore?). I do aspire to practice being more mindful but for me it will probably be a bigger challenge than when I took on the Three Peaks! #somethingtoworktowards

So here's my top 3:

1. It can ease depression! 

A study by University of Michigan states that nature walks are linked with significantly lower depression and perceived stress as well as enhance mental well-being.

2. Vitamin D boost!

Natural sunlight provides us with Vitamin D and contrary to some people's beliefs light through a window will not work! Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in our bodies, which are nutrients that we need to to keep our bones and teeth healthy. A lack of Vit D can lead to bone deformities such as Rickets in children or Osteomalacia in adults.

3. Helps you focus and / or relax!

If your mind is buried into a computer, like mine when I'm working, or your head is just spinning from all of the modern demands around you, from technology like TV, social media, smartphones or if you're out but in a busy place you might have crowds, queues and noise to put up with. Make sure you push yourself out into natural environments for your brain to recover and restore focus or motivation. I booked a trip to Sri Lanka for this very reason but a local heath, woods, park or beach will do!

I for one am looking forward to walking a couple of miles tomorrow to think over some ideas and take in some of the stunning surroundings we are blessed with in this country! I hope you all manage to soak up plenty of fresh air and natures wonders this week too!