The Benefits of being in nature

I spent my childhood living in Sweden and developed a passion for nature and all the wonderful health benefits that spending time outside can give you. Researchers at Stanford University found that people who walked for 90 minutes in nature showed decreased activity in the region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression, and experienced less anxiety and rumination, as well as more positive emotions such as happiness. Other research has shown nature to heal and soothe our minds, reduce blood pressure and improve cognitive function.

Forest bathing – Shinrin-yoku ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’. Developed in Japan in the 1980s, it has become a cornerstone of preventative health and stress management in Japanese medicine. Forest bathing involves quiet walking in a forest taking in the sounds, smells, colours and shapes, and the health benefits include measured changes in immune markers and stress hormones. Research has shown that as little as 15 minutes spent in a forest can lower cortisol levels, boost the immune system and reduce anxiety. Researchers believe the immune system is boosted when you breathe in organic compounds called phytoncides released by trees.

With our busy, modern lives, many of us are becoming more and more disconnected from nature, and it is crucial that we get outside as much as possible. It can be tough in those winter months, or when the weather is grim, but training outside (who says you need a gym, when there are trees to lash TRXs to, or benches to do press ups and step ups on!) has shown to increase levels of serotonin, and can reduce the boredom and fatigue that you can experience when training in a gym.