Many of us spend most of our time inside. We work inside, eat our food inside, spend our evenings indoors watching television or relaxing. But getting outside is important and there are many ways to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and communing with nature that brings many benefits into our lives.
- Education. Many children are missing a vital part of their education by preferring to stay indoors and not learn first hand about the environment, trees, plants, nature. Identifying animals, plants, birds used to be an important part of a child’s development. But visiting a park, a farm, climbing a tree are all becoming less and less a part of childrens lives as they prefer indoor activities, television, and computer games. More than a third of British children rarely play outdoors, often less than once a week.
Work. In good weather try to spend some time in the garden. Plant a few flowers or consider trying a herb garden or growing a few vegetables. Children can become very enthusiastic about growing their own plants, and it can be an absorbing way of spending time over the school holidays. This will result in them being physically tired at the end of the day, without much cost, childcare or planning. Even in winter there can be useful ways of spending time working in the garden, clearing leaves, tidying old plants away.
Community gardens and allotments are an increasingly popular interest for many people. There are often waiting lists to take on the extra land to cultivate. Some people use them for flowers, others to grow vegetables. There are few things more satisfying than eating produce that you have grown yourself. Also they are a good way to get outdoors and while away many a happy hour, pottering, chatting to other gardeners whilst growing a few plants.
Outdoor volunteer projects are popular. Many people are becoming involved in litter picking and clean up projects. They can include working to clear waterways and fields of debris, improving footpaths and maintaining country walks.
Outdoor service businesses are thriving. Dog walking, gardening, fitness training and boot camps often include significant elements of outdoor time. Many waterways, canals and water parks have been cleaned up and are proving popular for boating, canoeing and water sports businesses.
- Exercise outdoors is invigorating. Running, horse riding, boating, fishing, all give the opportunity to have some quiet time away from the stresses of the day and clear the mind. Whatever the weather, outdoor sport can give a real lift to the spirits. Many people utilise the municipal parks and hillside walks at weekends for family or more energetic group activities.
- Play often includes an important social component. Playing games outdoors can include several people in a communal game like football, cricket, rounders. Family, friends and neighbours can all enjoy getting involved, getting to know each other better and improve their relationships.
Eating outdoors is great fun. A picnic can involve several people bringing a dish or a tray of food of some kind. Barbecues are good at getting everyone involved. Food cooked outdoors often tastes really good.
Camping can at times be primitive but that is part of the fun, especially for young people. Summer camps from school or young peoples’ groups often have camping trips over holiday periods. They love not being able to wash properly for days, going hiking in the woods, bird watching and identifying plants. Eating baked beans and sausages over a camp fire, followed by a sing-song.
As they get older families with children often enjoy the opportunity to utilise some of the more user friendly camp sites that are established in countryside and seaside parts of the country.
Fresh air and sunlight, natural light and nature all provide a valuable addition to our health and well being. They are freely available and are often easily accessible at any age. Make the most of the opportunity to utilise this asset and improve the quality of your life.
Susan Leigh, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist
www.lifestyletherapy.net