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Humans used to spend most of the day outside. Maybe that’s why studies show that just 20 minutes of outdoor time can reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone in our bodies, by over 20%.
The earth is in our DNA, and spending time in nature, even in our own back garden, can drastically change our physical and mental health. Below, we dive into the surprising mental health benefits of nature and explore ways to turn your outdoor space into your own stress free oasis.
Mental Health Benefits of Outdoor Living
Nature is our natural habitat. And it is still the best place for our brains to relax. As we live ever more complicated lifestyles, anxiety, depression, addictions, and high levels of stress can begin to rule our thoughts.
Spending short periods outside can greatly benefit our minds and regulate our emotions. Increasing your time outdoors and building out your garden can help your mental state, offering:
Reduced stress hormones
It’s almost impossible to navigate a modern lifestyle without a build-up of stress. Much more than a state of mind, stress is a silent killer. Work schedules, family duties, and the general expectations of the rat race create constant spikes of stress hormones, leaving us dealing with regular fight-or-flight emotions.
Getting some fresh air to feel better isn’t just an old wives’ tale. Spending just 20 minutes outside in nature can reduce cortisol levels by over 20%. A simple way to make big gains for your mental health, just stepping out into your garden is one of the best ways to improve your mindset.
Enhanced focus
Being on the go all day requires our attention. A lot of it. And by the time we turn in for the night, our brains are exhausted from staying alert all day. Over time, our busy brains can’t quite keep up the pace. Tired minds start to miss details and slip into auto-pilot mode whenever possible.
Spending time outdoors, even sitting on your patio at home, gives your brain a vital rest. Slowing the speed of busy stimuli and taking in soothing sights and sounds, your brain returns refreshed and ready to focus.
Better sleep
On the surface we know daylight is for activity and nighttime is for sleep. But life doesn’t really work that way, does it?
Artificial office lighting and staying up till the early hours reading a bestseller can really affect our circadian rhythm, the body’s natural regulation system for sleep. A good circadian rhythm is not just vital to feeling fresh in the mornings; it also regulates these vital systems:
- Hormone production, which affects our moods and stress levels
- Digestion and appetite
- Body temperature regulation
Our brains function better when exposed to natural light. Spending some time in morning daylight, in particular, is one of the best ways to quickly regulate your circadian rhythm and feel better.
A better sleep cycle is shown to reduce instances of obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Beyond the Mind: Physical Perks of Outdoor Living
Spending our days in a factory or at a desk is a relatively new way to live. Being in nature is our natural state and it shows in our physical health when we spend more time outdoors.
Enhanced vitamin D production
Vitamin D is responsible for many processes in the body, and we get it directly from the sun. From building and maintaining strong bones to regulating our immune systems, this little vitamin hero is too often neglected by people in the UK.
Even small increases in exposure to daylight can boost our bodies with vitamin D. And the easiest way to get it is in our own garden.
Exercise
Moving your body doesn’t have to mean getting down to the gym. In fact, many activities you can do in your home and garden can give you a better overall workout than a few minutes on a treadmill.
Hiking and exploring the world around us is a great way to get active, but for homebodies and the less exercise-inclined, you can meet your activity goals while growing a beautiful flower bed or next year’s fruits and veggies.
Immune Exposure
Being out in the garden affects our immunity, in a good way. The same way we built our immunity making mud pies as kids, getting into the soil again as an adult can benefit our health and well-being.
Creating a Wellness Garden
Maybe you want every one of these glorious health benefits, but your garden isn’t quite the oasis you wish it was. Fortunately, you can benefit from nature right now while still building the mindfulness garden of your dreams.
To start your journey back to nature at home, introduce the following at your own pace:
Start Where You Are
A fresh-air garden paradise might be the goal, but it can be equally tempting to write off the idea when it doesn’t look perfect just yet. The key to real progress is just starting.
Starting where you are, with what you have.
If you have no garden furniture, start by standing in the grass a few minutes a day, you will still see results as you plan for the future.
Building your outdoor space must fit the lifestyle you want. Think about holidays you’ve taken or gardens you love. What about them makes you feel relaxed while you enjoy the fresh air? Over time, you can incorporate some of these ideas:
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- Comfortable outdoor seating: Whether you want to entertain friends or just move your reading spot outdoors, comfortable chairs are a great way to extend the time you spend outdoors.
- Outdoor cooking options: The scent of a BBQ or outdoor oven is unmatched. A perfect way to move any dinner or gathering into nature, outdoor cooking opens up a world of new recipes and flavours to try out.
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- Fire pits for the winter: A tale as old as time. People gather around a fire to relax, keep warm, meditate, or just enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. A fire pit really elevates the open-air experience for you and your visitors.
- Planters and trellis fences: Gardening is a game-changing pastime for mental and physical health. Seeing the fruits of your labour offers a buzz like no other. Small planters, trellis fences, and garden sheds can all yield a great harvest in the grower-friendly climate of the UK.
Mindful Design Elements
Keeping mental health and mindfulness front of mind when designing your garden can elevate your experience when it is complete. Sensory plants, such as jasmine and lavender, create an aromatherapy experience, relaxing your body and mind while enjoying the outdoors.
Choosing furniture for gatherings is great for social connections, but adding some cozy and private seating for reading and meditating can enhance your garden’s appeal when no guests are expected.
Year-round features
Unlike people in many other countries, Brits are often taught that gardens are for summer. But spending time in nature is good for us all year round. Winterproof your outdoor space with some of these popular ideas from countries with harsh winters:
- Build covered areas: A simple waterproof umbrella, fixed pergola, or a summer house can transform your rainy garden into a relaxing zone any time of year. Enjoy the sounds of falling rain on a roof, the crisp fresh air of winter, and the cosy cover of a warm blanket.
- Select some winter flowers: Not all plant life is barren in winter; in fact, many beautiful flowers bloom during colder weather. Plan your trees, plants, and flowers carefully, staggering their seasons to create a beautiful landscape in your garden at any time of year.
- Consider heating: Adjusting to colder months outside can be tougher for people who don’t enjoy the cold. Consider adding patio heaters, fire pits, and padded, cosy furniture to keep you warm during the coldest parts of the year.
The Social Benefits of Outdoor Living
Loneliness is an epidemic, even among people who live with family and work alongside colleagues all day. Busy schedules can drain our social batteries, without giving us the connection we crave.
Hosting friends, gardening with family, or even joining a local gardening group can deepen connections and lead to valuable lifelong friendships.
Gardeners often rely on other people to help solve their planting problems, and connecting over such a traditional craft is good for the soul.
Taking time out to build outdoor hobbies can even help your brain. People who garden have:
- Better problem solving skills
- Increased patience
- A sense of belonging
- Greater social support
- Connection to the local community
Start Your Wellness Garden in 3 Simple Steps
The benefits of creating a mindful garden are clear. And your mind may be filled with ideas already, but many people can’t overhaul their space in one weekend. Planning is the key to success. Follow the following planning stages to figure out your garden goals and carefully implement each one.
Step One – Plan Your Ideal Space
- Assess your space: Even the smallest garden has the potential to become an amazing personal oasis. Look at your space with rose coloured glasses, seeing it’s potential and use what you already have as you build.
- Create zones: Some areas of your garden will lend themselves to one use over another. If you have some patchy mud at the bottom of the garden, transform it into a planting spot. Have a patio area near a wall? This makes a great shaded area for comfortable seating or BBQ.
- Set goals: Ideas are inspiring, but we often need solid goals and timelines to push us into action. Select a goal date for each area of work or new piece of furniture, without being too ambitious. A planned bank holiday, a special day in your family calendar, or an event you’d like to host friends all make for good timelines to set your garden plan in motion.
- Spend time outdoors: Before you even start your plan, go and spend time outdoors. Stand and look at the stars or enjoy the sun sitting on a cushion. Enjoy the space exactly as it is today, to keep the motivation for improving it.
Step Two – Foundational Features
The next step is a building phase. Creating the kind of space you want to spend time in and incorporating some natural elements.
- Build with furniture: One piece at a time, your comfortable new outdoor furniture can take shape with your goals. If reading time is number one on the list, a comfy lounger is your first priority. When gathering your friends together brings you joy, a large table and rattan couch may be just what your space needs to shine.
- Fire pits: A great focal point for a gathering and a meditators dream, staring into a fire pit is a unique way to be one with nature again.
- Water features: A wonderful way to create a mindfulness retreat, the running water from a feature or fountain creates soothing sounds and an attraction for beautiful birds.
- Storage and cover: Gardening can be tougher in the winter, with garden sheds and summerhouses offering shelter for both plants and people. While gardening in the rain might seem counterintuitive, sitting in your potting shed on a rainy day with a cuppa is one of the most quintessentially British ways to relax.
Step Three – Soothe Your Senses and Protect Your Investment
Honing your mindfulness experience, step three focuses on the details and sensory benefits of designing your new space. To finish your garden with details that make a huge difference, consider the following:
- Lighting: Refining the mood of your space is easy with the perfect lighting. Natural sunlight and beautiful dusk hues can set the tone by day, but gatherings and reading spots need some cosy lighting. Wall lights, lanterns, fire pits, and strings of fairy lights can all create a dreamy ambience.
- Calming sights and smells: A schedule of beautiful flowers blooming at different times of the year keeps your garden looking pretty and your senses stimulated all year round. Choose plants with aromatherapy qualities such as lavender to further enhance your mindfulness experience.
- Weatherproofing: The British weather can be unpredictable and not every piece of your new garden might be waterproof. Avoid issues with rust, mould, and rot by covering and weatherproofing any features or furniture at risk.
Final Thoughts
Reducing stress, getting better sleep, staying in shape, and getting back to the basic joys of being part of nature are just a few mental and physical benefits of spending time outdoors. Sometimes we spend more time outdoors away from home, but retreat to our living rooms once we return. But keeping our connection with nature is as easy as stepping outside.
Creating your garden oasis is easy with BillyOh. Whether you are a connector who dreams of BBQ nights and hosting football parties, or a yoga buff who wants to take meditation in nature to the next level, returning to our roots in nature can change the way we feel everyday.
Images via: Ideogram
