Here on the Fraser Coast we are blessed with an abundance of nature to surround ourselves with including endless beaches, a range of national parks, walking tracks and more. Immersing ourselves in the outdoors doesn’t just help us stay active for our physical health, it also has many impacts on our brain health.
Here’s just some of the ways that being in nature can benefit our mental wellness;
Bring on those good moods
It has been shown that time spent in nature has the ability to bring on positive emotions as well as strengthen resilience.
Concentrate better throughout your day
Listening to the waves roll in on a morning walk on the beaches of Hervey Bay or even around your neighbourhood park could set you up for the rest of the day with increased concentration, problem solving and critical thinking capacity.
Let the gratitude flow
Being in the outdoors can make us all realise how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place in the world. A sense of gratitude can often allow the positives to outweigh the negatives and help build the skill of being able to focus on those positives, even in hard times.
Reduced anxiety levels
Research has shown that there is a strong connection between time spent outdoors and the reduction of anxiety, stress and depression. Adding some regular outside movement into your daily routine is strongly advised for those wanting to improve their brain health.
A way to meet like-minded people and socialise
Here on the Fraser Coast, we have a number of community groups that are focussed on fitness and outdoors activities. Joining a local group is a great way to not only include some nature time in your week, but also build connections with other locals in the community.
It’s time to grab a mate to help you be accountable, and add some scheduled outside time across our beautiful region into your week. Feel like you still need extra help? We suggest heading to your GP for a check up and a read of our Little Black Book.