Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

I felt inspired to write this blog as I was sat on the beach after an early morning swim down at Priory Bay (an absolutely DREAMY spot on the Island!) There is not a day that goes past where I don’t feel incredibly lucky to call the Isle of Wight my home, it is truly such a wonderful place to live and after 31 years of living here I still find spots that take my breath away! I guess the slower pace of life felt a little frustrating when I was a teenager and it wasn’t exactly the place to be if you wanted to party but as I entered the later part of my 20s and especially now in my 30s I can truly say there is no where I would rather be, especially when the sun is shining!

The biggest benefit for me is being surrounded by nature, I’m never more than a 15 minute drive to the beach or a beautiful countryside walk with stunning views, and as a person who has suffered with pretty intense anxiety, nature is such a powerful grounding force. Here a just a few of the benefits I’ve noticed in recent years..

1 ) Encourages Mindfulness and Presence - Whether it’s going out for a stroll to listen to the early morning birdsong or finding a quiet spot on the beach where you can hear the waves lapping gently on to the sand, using our senses helps us to ground to our present moment and can reduce cycles of overthinking! Did you know Coastal environments especially are linked to the Blue Mind Theory, it’s believed that being near water can induce a state of calm described as mildly meditative!

2) Increases Feelings of Connection & Meaning -

Nature can often evoke a sense of awe and wonder – a powerful emotional experience that helps us to feel connected to something much larger than ourselves. I find this is especially helpful when I’m in need of a perspective shift! Grab your journal and take yourself to a place that feels magical to you, immerse yourself in the sense of calm whilst you flow through all your big emotions!

3) Boosts cognitive function -

Have you ever been sat at your desk at work and suddenly felt that afternoon slump creeping up on you? If you can, I’d recommend a 5 minute walk outside to restore your energy! It’s been proven countless times that being in nature can improve concentration, creativity and memory as well as improving focus and enhancing mental clarity! The Attention Restoration Theory is super interesting to read about if you’d like to know more about this and the studies to back it up so if you’re reading this feeling a little burnt out and in need of a reset and you’re lucky enough to be near any kind of outdoor space, I encourage you to go and make the most of it! It’s super powerful, beneficial and totally free.. what’s not to love?!

Elle x

Picture by Elle - Priory Bay

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