Off The Beaten Track…
In an age where we are consumed by technology and have begun to let it take over our lives, taking a step outside and switching off from our digital distractions has become one of the very best ways of reconnecting with the natural world. We find ourselves getting caught up in such fast paced lifestyles, that we rarely take a minute to slow down and appreciate the smaller pleasures of life. When was the last time you stepped outside with your morning coffee to watch the sunrise, or stopped and listened to the birds on your daily walk?
Spending time amongst nature is scientifically proven to improve our mental health and well-being. Since the UK’s lockdowns we have experienced recently due to the ongoing pandemic, it has never been more important to embrace the opportunities that being outside bring. It seems over the last few months, that Britain as a nation have begun to regain their love for the great outdoors, mainly because its been our only escape from the stresses of day to day life. A much slower pace of life has become more evident amongst many, the cities parks and commons have been filled with picnickers, and country lanes are brimming with cyclists and runners. People have had more time to realise the beauty of what lay outside, with many questioning why they hadn’t explored these places before! It seems crazy to me that some people have only come to this realisation now, we should have learnt long before our lives became more restricted, of the benefits that nature can bring to our daily lives.
We should take inspiration from our European neighbours, of whom for years now seem to have incorporated aspects of nature and being outside into their lifestyles all year round. You can visit the Alps at any time of the year and expect to be given a blanket to sit outside with friends and enjoy beverages in the open air; they embrace the feeling of being outside in all weathers, come rain or shine.
These opportunities do not need to be something you have to travel or plan for. Here in Suffolk we are surrounded by some of the very best rural countryside. Forests, fields and beaches all lay within the county’s borders. Pack up your bag with a flask of tea and your camera, and you’ll be set for a day of exploring what’s been right on your doorstep the whole entire time. Throughout the summer lockdown, I tried nearly every weekend to go for a cold water swim. I grabbed my wetsuit, and headed to the Suffolk coast for a cold water sea swim, followed by breakfast on the beach. The sense of refreshment was like nothing I had experienced before, it would set me up for the day feeling calm, positive and in a good mindset to tackle the week! Very little would stop me from attending my weekly swims!
So reading this article is the nudge that you needed, take a fresh perspective on the familiar, there are well trodden paths that are yet to be explored. Time spent outdoors is precious, sustaining us and connecting us to the land, and promises of new adventures await beyond your doorstep, some a lot closer than you may think.
Ellie x