How Getting Outdoors Benefits Your Mental Health

3 February 2020

There are plenty of great reasons to get outdoors, least of all being the incredible countryside that we get to enjoy from our holiday parks across the UK. However, this is not the only reason, and with the kickoff of Children’s Mental Health Week, we’ve been thinking about all the ways in which getting outdoors benefits your mental health.

Take Some Time to Switch Off

Life can be chaotic sometimes, and this isn’t just true for adults. In this technological age, we spend a lot of our time looking at screens, scrolling through social media which can often result in us comparing ourselves to others. This can cause a whole range of problems, so it’s a great idea to switch off for a while.

If you’re going out for a walk with the family, why not suggest a switched off experience so you have time to talk and enjoy your surroundings. This may be the perfect opportunity to reconnect with each other as well as reconnecting with the great outdoors.

Boost Your Mood With Natural Light

Getting plenty of natural light can be incredibly beneficial for your health, both mental and physical. One of the most obvious benefits is that sunlight provides us with vitamin D which supports everything from our bones to our immune systems.

However, there are also links between vitamin D deficiency and depression, so getting some time in the sunshine can be particularly beneficial for our mental health. There are a number of other reasons why natural light can be good for mental health, such as the fact that it can improve sleep which in turn can help you to wake up feeling happier and more ready to take on the day.

Improve Your Mental and Physical Health With Exercise

While you’re outside, why not get the blood pumping by engaging in a little exercise. This could be going for a jog or taking a hike in the local area, and with such beautiful surroundings near to all our holiday parks, you’ll have plenty of routes to choose from.

Of course, exercise can be great for mental health as well as physical health for a number of reasons. Firstly, it has a very real impact on brain health as it promotes neural growth and helps to reduce inflammation. When exercising, you also release endorphins which help to create positive and happy feelings. This can help with depression and anxiety, as well as just giving a little boost to those who need it.

If you’re looking for a great walking route, here are just a few of the best ones near our holiday parks:

A visit to one of our parks offers plenty of opportunities to get active outdoors, whether you fancy a game of golf, a spot of fishing, or a wander around our Nature Reserve.

While February 3rd 2020 marks the start of Children’s Mental Health Week, it is a great time to consider your own mental health as well and look at ways in which you can help yourself to feel happier. So whether you have a child or not, this is an excellent week to start making some changes and to get outdoors in order to feel happier and healthier.