Even before I started to work in the outdoor industry, I loved
being outside. I have many happy memories of doing my school studying
outside whenever I could, even on cold days. Summer holidays were spent
outside as much as possible, not necessarily doing anything specific;
just being in the fresh air.
Maybe that all came from growing up
in a city and feeling confined and constrained by the greyness, I don't
know. Whatever the reason for it, the desire has stayed with me and I
seek to be outdoors at any opportunity.
Since my childhood, I have
looked a little more at why we should spend time outdoors and some of
the benefits that it brings. Some of these have been well-researched and
documented; others are merely anecdotal but seem to apply to a wide
cross-section of people I have worked with.
Physical
Of
the benefits, they can be split into those that are mental and those
which are more physical in nature which is where I shall start. These
are things where changes for good can be noticed in our bodies, be they
sick or healthy.
Vitamin D
One of the well-documented
benefits of being outdoors is the rise in the level of Vitamin D it provides. Sunlight hitting the skin starts the process that generates
the vitamin in us. There are studies that suggest this vitamin might
have protective effects against many things from heart attacks and
strokes to cancer or depression. This is a big debate in Scotland at the
moment, with people suggesting that supplements should be taken by the
nation to counter the ill effects of so many grey days. However, it
seems that you don't need to be outside a huge amount to top yourself up
to a reasonable level - being outside for 15 minutes a day may be
sufficient and if you take advantage of every sunny day you should be
fine.
Obviously there is the downside of burning so we are told to
religiously apply sunscreen which then prevents the vitamin-generating
UVB light hitting us. However, with some common sense and a bit of
balance it should be possible to avoid over-exposure but allow enough
sun through to keep you healthy, if you go outdoors enough.
Exercise
If
you are outside then by definition you are not driving in your car or
sitting on your sofa. This suggests that you may be walking somewhere or
taking part in some form of more deliberate exercise. Assuming this is
at an appropriate level for your general level of fitness, this is a
good thing which provides benefits. Again, it doesn't need to be in huge
amounts. There are guidelines as to what you should be doing and it
will be best if you can follow them. However, if you don't normally do
any exercise then I'm reasonably sure that graduating to doing 'some' is
a great step forwards.
I know we can still go to a gym and
exercise and there is no harm in that. However, my view is that the ever
changing scenery outdoors is better than a TV on your running machine
and the other obvious benefit is that the outdoors is free.
Healing
It
seems from a study carried out in Pittsburgh that having access to
natural light is beneficial to patients recovering from spinal surgery.
Other studies have shown the benefits of patients being able to see
trees and countryside rather than simply brick walls. I know when I was
incarcerated in hospital recently, just for a few days, the fact that I
could look out the window at something other than buildings was great.
Now, this is not specifically about being outside but surely
the advantages of seeing these things can be multiplied by actually
going out there too, maybe even touching nature. It is no surprise to me
that for years long term patients have been wheeled outside into
hospital grounds and gardens as part of their convalescence.
Space
Particularly
important for children, the outdoors provides more space. How many
times have you noticed a child who is itching to run around but is too
constrained indoors? Remove the shackles and they are off, whether that
is hurtling around a small hall in the building, getting under people's
feet and falling into table corners or playing aeroplanes, football or
simply running outside. Children are so much more active outdoors and I
suspect that is largely because there are fewer boundaries to slow them
down and make them conform. They need to be allowed out to let off steam
- just ask a primary school teacher on the third wet day in a row!
Fresh Air
Finally
in the physical section, I am a firm believer in the idea that living
all of our days in our hermetically-sealed, double-glazed,
centrally-heated or air-conditioned boxes (at work or at home) is not
overly healthy. I know just by watching myself that fresh air helps me
sleep better and gives me fewer problems with the condition of my skin.
Maybe that is true for other people too, that they simply need to
breathe fresh air sometimes. Yes, cold draughty houses are not good
either but I suspect there is some middle ground to be found, which may
come from frequent visits to the big, fresh-smelling, outdoor world.
Mental
There
is another body of work that looks at what impact being outside has on
our mental wellbeing. Whilst there are few conclusive studies, it seems
that a number of pieces of research are quite convinced that there are
psychological benefits to be gained by going outside. On top of all this
scholarly research, I am currently able to speak from personal
experience as well. Stuck inside with a ruptured achilles tendon, even a
short ten minute walk down the street makes me feel better inside. In
this case it particularly alleviates my feelings of entrapment and
monotony. These and other ideas are elaborated on below.
Light
Light
makes you feel better and generally there is more of it outside than
in, even on days that you would not class as 'bright'. If you are not
sure, just look at the number of people suffering in the winter due to
the seasonal lack of light. Whilst your job may enslave you to a routine
indoors that means arriving and leaving in the hours of darkness, a
five minute walk at lunchtime might overcome the issue enough to make
you feel better.
Calm
The natural green colours you find in
the countryside tend to exhibit a much more calming effect on your brain
than the blacks and greys of city life. Even in the confines of an
inner-city park, the greenery there is more appealing to the eye. You
may not live in close proximity to green open spaces (which is a shame
given the apparent benefits of that) but when you want to hopefully you
can find them and make the most of them - even a dandelion growing in
some cracked mortar is a start.
It also seems to be a generally
held view that one of the most calming sounds you can hear is moving
water. Whether that is a stream or a wave or a waterfall, the sounds
make us feel better somehow, in a way that a dripping tap just can't.
You don't need to go and camp on the beach or climb up to a mountain
stream - even the brook running through the village green or the
fountains in the park can give the same effect.
Trapped
Sometimes
I think you can feel trapped by being inside all the time. Particularly
at work where you can already feel like you are simply part of a system
with no escape, having to sit in the same seat day after day just
provides a monotonous outlook on the world. By going outside, the vista
opens up, even just looking down a city street. Add the advantages that
are provided by stepping even a few metres above the crowd and the sense
of being shut-in can lift, however temporarily.
Variety
They
say variety is the spice of life and that a change is as good as a
rest. In that case moving, however briefly, from an indoor existence to a
period out of doors must be of benefit. If we can go somewhere new into
the bargain then it will be even better. It doesn't need to be exotic,
however hard the travel agents try to convince you to the contrary.
Walking down a different street in your own town may be sufficient.
Going to a different park or a new footpath will provide even more
benefits.
Concentration
It seems that people, and
particularly children, suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) can benefit from being outside. If they can counter
their 'nature deficit' by going outside (as described by Richard Louv in
his book 'Last Child in the Woods') then their concentration improves.
The research on this is primarily on these children but it's not wild
conjecture to suggest that the same may be true for all of us. When I
worked in a Darlington office complex, I used to take ten minutes at
lunchtime just to walk around the block every day. It did wonders for my
ability to concentrate in the afternoon. With flexitime in place, I was
even at liberty to do it again halfway through the afternoon should I
require it.
Appreciation
Finally, I believe that there is
benefit in being outdoors for the new appreciation it gives us for our
area. Taking time to look around you in a natural place, whether it is
perceived to be beautiful or not, will allow you the chance to see what
is actually there. You don't need to move far. Simply sitting outside
with things growing around you will present a multiplicity of objects to
be observed. On top of that, there may be wildlife, such as birds or
small mammals, as well as the weather as it impacts on the land or sea.
When observed with open eyes, it is hard to be unimpressed and this can
only heighten an appreciation for the place you are in. When this is
your homeland, it can fill you with a sense of pride by association.
Even if you are far away though, it is still possible to gain a sense of
wonder and satisfaction - to have the privilege to live in such a
diverse world is amazing.
Conclusion
You
may think some of this is hard to believe, or that it doesn't apply to
your situation or the geographical area you frequent. However, having
spent most of my working life in outdoor contexts, I have seen many of
these concepts in action, and helped people develop their thinking
whilst outside. I couldn't put numbers to it but I would hazard a guess
that everyone that has come outside with me over the years has benefited
in some way from the experience. which begs the question why we don't
go outside more often - it's obviously good for us!
Nick Smith is an Outdoor Life Coach and Trainer. Within his
company, Square Pegs Coaching, he uses outdoor experiences to help
people develop themselves. By walking and talking together, people
discover how they can take further steps in their journey of life.
Although working mainly in Glasgow and the West of Scotland where he is
based, Nick also travels around the UK - if you want to be coached by
him then get in touch through his website at http://www.squarepegscoaching.com.
There is more information there to help you understand the concepts of
outdoor life coaching, background on Nick and the opportunity to book
coaching when you are ready. The articles Nick writes appear first in
his regular newsletter - to sign up to receive new articles and other
offers, go to http://eepurl.com/fXEm. He also posts other thoughts and challenges on his blog on the website.
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