Six ways that walking in nature can improve our well-being
A walk through nature calms our body and mind @Jules Lowe Counselling
It can help us to process emotions.
Ever feel like all of your thoughts and emotions are completely jumbled in your head? There can be so few outlets to explore these thoughts and emotions on your own, especially if you don’t enjoy journaling, but many people find that a walk can really help. Have a go at ditching the headphones and be fully present – rather than distracting yourself – and see what it is like to be alone with your thoughts. Another way it can help is to completely take your mind OFF what you’ve been thinking about - sometimes the joy of nature is that we don’t have to think - we can simply take in our surroundings and enjoy the present moment.
Make sure you stay safe - being being alone with our thoughts can be scary, especially if we are used to doing whatever we can to distract us from our thoughts. Remember you are in control, and if this does scare you in any way please do get in touch with a counsellor who will help you process these thoughts in a safe, controlled way.
2. It's free!
The best things in life are free, and I personally believe that walking in nature is indeed one of the best things in life! Way cheaper than going to the pub or going for a coffee and cake, and way better for our bodies too. Want a catch up with a friend? Why not go for a walk? There’s something about the lack of eye-contact that can really help get conversation going, especially if you find yourself getting anxious in social situations. The backdrop is constantly changing, and can give you memorable moments to share together - whether it’s a gorgeous view or getting stuck in the mud! And in terms of exercise, whether with a friend or alone, there’s research to suggest the “nature element” can help you achieve a greater intensity of exercise, meaning that you might actually enjoy the exercise more than if you were in the gym, without paying a penny!
Slow down and go with the flow @Jules Lowe Counselling
3. It helps us to slow down.
Sure, nature can help us exercise more, and walking briskly, especially early in the morning, can have many health benefits, but so does slowing down. Life can be busy. A walk in nature reminds us to slow down once in a while and take in the present moment. A recent study found that young women walking in a forest had higher parasympathetic nervous activity and lower sympathetic nervous activity. Say what? In a nutshell, our parasympathetic nervous system is our “rest and digest” system – it relaxes our body after periods of stress; the sympathetic nervous system is when we are in fight or flight mode – alert and ready to respond to danger but super tiring! So walking in nature can help us to feel safe and relaxed – it tells us that there’s no danger and that we are safe.
4. It provides a relaxing soundtrack.
According to a study commissioned by The National Trust, listening to forest sounds can relax us more that listening to a meditation app, with people saying they felt 30% more relaxed, 25% less stressed and 20% less anxious after listening to these sounds. Another study suggests that 6 minutes of listening to birdsong can alleviate anxiety and paranoia. It’s thought that perhaps when it comes to birdsong, it’s because birds will stay quiet when they feel in danger, so hearing them sing is a signal to us that all is safe.
5. It helps bring some sunshine into our lives
Sunshine to boost our mood @Jules Lowe Counselling
I don’t know about you, but I love the feeling of sunshine on my face. The warmth, the glow – I instantly feel better after a few moments of sun. And there’s research to back it up! Exposure to sunshine increases the body’s production of the hormone serotonin, which helps reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. It doesn’t matter what season it is or how warm it is outside – it seems to be directly related to how long we are exposed to bright sunlight. Getting up and out of the house and experiencing natural daylight, especially in the morning, can help with your circadian rhythm, leading to a better night’s sleep, and we all know how much better we feel when we’ve had a good night’s sleep! The nurturing parent part of me just wants to remind you not to forget your sun-cream though, even when it’s cloudy!
6. It can remind us of the awe and wonder we can find in the world
We humans are constantly searching for meaning and explanations in life. Why did this terrible thing happen to me? Why did I have to say goodbye to the person I loved the most? Sometime a walk in nature can remind us that we don’t have to make sense of everything – sometimes it just is. Some of it is terrible, but some of it is magical. The way sunbeams can sparkle on a forest floor, the way new life can burst forth from the undergrowth, the feel of rough bark on our fingertips. Forests and nature can both ground us and lift us at the same time, so maybe it’s time to take a pause from this constant search for meaning and just marvel in the magnificence of being alive.
Gladwell VF, et al. (2013). The great outdoors: How a green exercise environment can benefit all.
Song C, Ikei H, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jan 15;16(2):229
Stobbe, E., Sundermann, J., Ascone, L. et al. Birdsongs alleviate anxiety and paranoia in healthy participants. Sci Rep 12, 16414 (2022).
•https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature/trees-plants/a-beginners-guide-to-forest-bathing
