Balance your mood.
Getting outdoors on a regular basis is a great way to build your mental fitness. Whether it’s taking a break in the garden, going for a walk in the park or spending time by the water, getting outdoors has a positive impact on our ability to think and focus as well as positively affecting our mood and stress levels. This in turn can contribute to how we perform each day and can even help us get a better night’s sleep.
OVERVIEW
Getting outdoors forces us away from our desk, computer and maybe even other people! Just a few minutes of undistracted peace in nature allows us a little time to be grounded and can act as a recharging energy boost in the middle of our day.
You can work on your mental fitness by getting outdoors as part of your everyday routine. Schedule your outdoors time either immediately before or immediately after a hectic period to either get your thoughts together or recharge your batteries.
The secret is taking the time to be undistracted. This might be hard at first and you might only manage a short time before you reach for your phone or allow your mind to wander to the next issue at work. But, with practise, you might find that you can exist in the present moment for longer periods without the need for entertainment or to be elsewhere and with the full restorative benefits of getting outdoors.
Getting outdoors often involves being active, even just a ten minute walk releases endorphins (our happy hormones) that make us feel more positive about ourselves and our surroundings. Remember, our feelings influence our thoughts and behaviours and thus performance.
Sunlight is important for the body’s production of vitamin D which is essential for the absorption of calcium – which in turn, is linked to positive mood.
Meanwhile being in nature has also been shown to stimulate creativity, a really positive contributor towards our mental fitness.
THE WHY
Exercise
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CHECK: Check in with yourself. Are you feeling a bit drained in the middle of the day or perhaps finding it difficult to prioritise or get on top of your tasks?
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CHALLENGE: Ask yourself... how long have you been inside?
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CHANGE: Give yourself permission to take a break and don't just head to the coffee machine! Get outdoors, take a walk in the fresh air and find a green space where you can take ten undistracted minutes.
Avoid the temptation of your phone
Take a minute to be interested in your surroundings
Use as many senses as you can
Look and see what wildlife is around
Smell the scent of a flower
Feel the bark of a tree
Listen to the sounds all around you
LISTEN TO THE TOOL