The great outdoors doesn’t need to be cycling through the countryside or as intensive as a run. It can be as simple as stroll in nature.
In fact, research by the government and university of Exeter found that spending two hours a week outdoors can improve our mental and overall well-being.
There is a link between the impact of getting outdoors with a reduction in stress and anxiety. It’s a new prescription that we should all be taking and actually many of us did following Covid.
I must admit, I don’t think I ever walked as much as I did during Covid. Was that the same for you? I made sure to make the most out of those government stated outdoor time to stay healthy and sane, not to mention, I was also pregnant so even more reason to keep my body moving.
You may be thinking about how getting outdoors can support your well-being as a mum, well…
Here are five ways to start you off with for getting outdoors more:
1. Soak up that Vitamin D
Let the sun shine! Yes the sunshine is packed full of the much needed vitamin D which is brilliant for your immune system and making your bones stronger. When we, as mums, make that trip outdoors, we are also helping ourselves nutritionally too.
2. Reduce stress
It’s true. There’s something so calming about nature whether that’s watching the world go by or even better, being by water or fire, both have such a primitive power that can lower our cortisol levels.
When things therefore get on top of us or your little one just won’t settle, getting them out in some fresh air can help. It helps you and it helps them too – win win.
3. Build new connections
As a new mum, one of the things I loved about my maternity leave was going for walks and grabbing a coffee with my NCT group. I share more about the benefits of joining an antenatal group here: 3 reasons why you should join an antenatal group.
The thread however was the outdoors. It benefitted us and our little ones, and so getting outdoors is a fantastic way to forge new relationships. There are many walking groups, fitness groups and mum-related park groups – find yours and appreciate the by product of feeling calmer and happier.
4. Sleep so much better
It’s all to do with our circadian rhythm which is essentially our biological clock of when we naturally rise and feel sleepy which is triggered by light. Getting outdoors first thing can kick start it by making us feel more awake and then help us sleep easier at night.
5. Tackle feelings of low mood
There is a lot out there around how getting outdoors can help our mental health too. It is said that the sunlight impacts our body’s serotonin levels which is a chemical that plays a vital role in our mood. Therefore, more time outdoors helps to increase those levels, leaving us feeling happier and more focused.
The outdoors can also make us feel a real sense of peace, which when your days are so hectic with kids, is needed.
If you’re interested in exploring other self-care tips to feel good in motherhood, then join my free 10 day self care challenge!
We’ll be exploring different self-care tips that you can try out each day to find the one that works best for you.