why escaping to nature for a break might be a necessity not a want…
When we just take time out just for us and our family and choose to spend it amongst nature, it’s because we have already decided that we need it and that it will benefit us, but just why is it so vital to our wellbeing?
1. Improves Focus and General Mood
Taking a little break in nature significantly improves this by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Immersion in natural surroundings, with it’s calming sights and sounds, lowers cortisol levels and anxiety. Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking and cycling boosts endorphin levels, improving mental clarity and cognitive performance.
Nature’s tranquility fosters mindfulness and meditation, aiding in present-moment awareness and mental clarity.
A break from digital devices allows the brain to rest, reducing mental fatigue. Feeling connected to nature fosters peace and perspective, inspiring awe and gratitude. Overall, a nature holiday offers a powerful reset, rejuvenating both mind and body.
2. Boosts Immune System
Let’s face it, we spend enough time indoors, we all need to get outdoors more and make the most of the early morning sun, which is when Vitamin D exposure is at it’s highest and feel the immediate health benefits.
Exposure to sunlight increases Vitamin D production, essential for mood regulation, while fresh air improves lung function and overall vitality all aiding to the healthy functioning of our immune system.
3. Reconnects us with mother nature
Immersing yourself in nature trails or camping out under the clear night skies of Exmoor or perching yourself in tranquil riverside woodlands can help bring you back to mother nature. Nature’s beauty fosters mindfulness, helping individuals stay present and gain perspective. This connection to nature instills peace and gratitude, ultimately enhancing mental and physical well-being. Immerse yourself in nature and the health benefits are endless.
4. Increases Endorphins
It has been proven multiple times over that being in green spaces especially with your furry family members can significantly reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and raise endorphin levels and dopamine production, lower stress levels can lead to a healthier life balance, which can relieve stress on your organs, metabolism, brain, digestive system and so much more, stress is one of the biggest contributors to serious illness, and spending time in nature can have a huge positive impact on this. This can also make us more outgoing and feel more like hanging out with our friends and family.
5. Inspiring a healthy lifestyle
The best gift you can give yourself and those around you is to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle, looking after yourself means knowing when to take a break, take the pressure off and learn how to infiltrate balance into your life.
Sometimes getting back to nature can reset your priorities and can help you make better health choices over time, whether that’s making healthier eating choices, wanting to get in your daily step count or taking up a new exercise class.
6. Improves quality of sleep
It’s been proven that staying amongst nature encourages a more natural sleep routine, reduces signs of stress and anxiety and can even reset your body clock after just a week away.
Especially if you are camping as your are more exposed to light cycles and just one week of camping can reset your body clock to wake up with the sunrise.
