Use Time Outdoors to Improve Your Personal Wellbeing

At this point it is common knowledge that green space, and mental health have a direct connection. There are plenty of known benefits when it comes to nature and our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. However, the reasons why this is the case are incredibly complicated and not yet fully understood.

It’s a real curiosity that so little is known at this point about the relationship between the brain and natural world. As mentioned though; it is clearly there, which is why there is a growing scientific field called ecotherapy which explores the human connection to the natural world and uses it to maintain health and foster recovery.

As it stands, the definition of ecotherapy is a little loose. There is no single definition, but it is regularly practiced in all of its forms and some commonality between each type are that: that it is activity driven (IE walking, meditating, gardening, watching etc), takes place in a green environment, emphasises exploring and enjoying the scenery and has a (optional) social component.

There’s no doubt then that time engaging with the outdoors will offer some of the benefits of green therapy. Of course, it isn’t structured or driven by a specialist, but by incorporating green space into your wellness routine, or general day-to-day life, you’ll clearly reap some of the same awesome boosts.

According to the science, the therapeutic benefits of the outside world are tied to our own sense, which take things like the smells, sounds and visual aesthetic and somehow translate that to a reduction in cortisol release (the stress hormone, responsible for the fight-or-flight response).

I guess to put it another way; if high levels of anxiety, depression and stress are a sort of overload in the brain’s output. This response is a sort of re-routing of current passing through your body as a course-correction. Thus, allowing some respite from the issues associated with these conditions.

If you’re looking to incorporate the outdoors into your lifestyle and benefit from the effects, you’re looking at about half hour outside around three days a week. I wouldn’t overthink it though. Spend as much time as is right for the current situation and context, but you may find it easier if you incorporate a little green space time into your existing time out. Maybe a little extra detour. In any case though, embrace nature to feel a slice of green therapy, and get the most out of your time outdoors to help improve your own personal wellbeing.