Fresh Air

We all know how good it is for the body and soul and therefore our wellbeing. But how easy is it to find the time?

There are several dimensions of wellness, difficult to decide which is the most important, and this depends upon each individual? Experience tells me that, rest, diet, and exercise are almost always at the top for creating physical wellness and as it is the most straightforward to quantify and therefore do something about. Life is about balance.

I often talk about how important it is to find time for yourself. I am not a dietician, I do not profess to eat all the right things, but sometimes I take time to look at what I am doing, usually when I feel exhausted and that is when I realise, I have not been doing the right things. I have not had enough exercise; I have not taken the time to take in the outdoors, take in that fresh air, and just as importantly I have not necessarily been eating sensibly.

It is not rocket science and yet we so often fall into the trap of not doing these simple things, hence we tend not to then think about our emotional wellness. Our environment, the food we eat, exercise, and the time we spend doing things we enjoy all play a vital part in maintaining our emotional wellness.

Schools are fast recognising the benefits of outdoor learning, increasing the use of such things as forest schools, appreciating that getting pupils outside and into the fresh air should be a top priority. I often hear parents complaining about how the time their children, teenagers, and even young adults are spending in front of screens, and yet, we “grownups” are often just as bad. Only yesterday I was out walking with a friend, and she asked me to stop so she could answer a text message!

With schools recognising the need to stimulate the desire to be outside and promoting the benefit, we as adults should listen.

So, my friends, find five minutes to think about how you can improve your well-being and start with a walk, somewhere if possible peaceful and where you can take in the shape of the trees, the smell of grass, trees, the birds singing or as I did this morning, a walk along the beach. If you are unable to find time for a walk at the very least find somewhere to perch outside and have your tea, coffee, or water, you will be surprised what there is to see around you. Look up, clouds can be fascinating, appreciate the moss on shady areas or how the sun is encouraging the new shoots.

Some of the benefits of being outside are the increased amount of oxygen in your body, the effect on your digestive system, and your level of happiness improves as does your immune system.

So go on give it a go.