As new studies prove the power of nature for mind and body, Sophie Qureshi explores what’s really so great about the great outdoors…"Imagine a therapy that had no known side effects, was readily available, and could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost." That was the attention-grabbing opening to an academic paper written by US researchers over a decade ago. The therapy in question? Spending time in nature.
In an age in which you can do everything from your weekly shop to managing your finances from your sofa, it’s not surprising that we’re becoming such indoor creatures.
To build more outdoor time into your week, start small, advises Hana Sutch, co-founder of Go Jauntly, a free community-based walking app, designed to help city dwellers connect with the nature around them. ‘Reclaim your lunchtime and go for a walk in the park, or beat the afternoon slump by having walking meetings with colleagues. Then at the weekend, plan an outside adventure with friends – you can use Go Jauntly to find walks further afield and make a day of it.
SHOP: If you want to recreate the calm of the outdoors inside, try one of these stress-relieving beauty buys:The fair-trade cocoa butter and French lavender infused in this fast-acting balm prep your mind and skin for a night of undisturbed relaxation. It's also part of Lush's new 'Naked' range, which foregoes any plastic packaging.The fair-trade cocoa butter and French lavender infused in this fast-acting balm prep your mind and skin for a night of undisturbed relaxation.
Hasn’t hurt me any.... I live here!