There is something enormously rewarding about rediscovering old pastimes. Particularly those that bring fresh air and movement back into your life. It’s time to think about hobbies that are going to get you outdoors again.

After a stretch of time spent indoors, thanks to dark evenings and single-figure temperatures, the clocks going backwards are pulling us towards the outdoors again. These brighter days, aside from being a warm welcome, have us thinking about our hobbies. It could be ones we once enjoyed but haven’t had a reason to make time for lately, partially due to busy schedules or the miserable weather.

Before you panic or look at buying a surfboard, outdoor hobbies do not have to be extreme sports! Going for regular walks to get some fresh air, spotting birds out in the wild, or even driving out to explore quiet coastal paths can all refresh your mind and body.

Thankfully, making space for these moments does not mean you need to start planning an elaborate weekend away. It’s about keeping things simple, enjoyable, and flexible, and here’s how:

Choosing the right hobby for the outdoors

What do you choose? As you look at hobbies to help you go outside more, you will notice that many easy-going activities naturally suit outdoor settings. Gardening, nature photography, sketching, or long walks (and hikes) are popular because they’re flexible and easy to begin.

The great advantage of these is that you don’t need to spend fortunes or have the perfect conditions. The best part? You can choose how active or relaxed you want to be.

What happens if you are still struggling to decide? Start by asking yourself what your interests are, or how much spare time you have.

For example, does going on long walks sound appealing? If so, try different routes like heritage trails or countryside loops on the weekend. If creativity calls for it, try sketching in parks or taking photos in different light conditions.

These different seasonal activities help to keep things varied and give you a hobby to enjoy regardless of the weather.

Preparing your kit for easier days out

If you have the right gear in an accessible place, getting outside will be simpler and, at times, quicker.

Set some space near your front door or inside your car. Here you can store your walking shoes or sketchbook. Implementing a grab-and-go system reduces hesitation and lets you head out whenever the opportunity comes up.

Alternatively, if your activity involves larger equipment, storage becomes even more important. This is why roof racks are a great investment, as they offer a practical way to carry things that don’t fit easily inside your car. It’s a straightforward way to create extra room and avoid overloading your boot. So don’t hesitate to consider a roof rack for your car.

Making room for hobbies in your weekly routine

Hobbies do not have to be time-consuming. They could be something you spend a few minutes or longer doing. If you struggle with fitting a hobby into your schedule in the week, you could set aside an hour or two at the weekend to enjoy your hobby.

Life can quickly fill up with tasks and other things, making it difficult to do the things you love. But if you set aside some time, your hobby becomes something you look forward to rather than a task you try to squeeze in.

A great way to do this is to link your hobby to moments that already exist in your routine, such as when you take a lunch break, read a book, or go on a short walk.

Keeping it simple helps you stay consistent without pressure. Repetition becomes part of your rhythm rather than a special event.

Keep the momentum going

One thing that often happens when making changes is staying motivated. As time passes, motivation levels start to dip as the initial excitement fades. This is normal, but what helps is to plan around it.

Mix up the days or the time of day you go out. Why not invite someone new to join you, or give yourself a small challenge? The simple act of switching things up can keep you connected to the reason you started.

Lastly, try to treat your hobby with care. For example, if your hobby is paddleboarding, try to store your gear properly, as it will help maintain it. Additionally, having the right setup, including easy storage and transport options like roof racks, means fewer barriers and more freedom to follow through.

Try something new this season

As you can see, outdoor hobbies provide a break from routine and let you engage with your surroundings in a way that’s active but relaxed.

So, what are you waiting for? Ask yourself: What could work for you this season? Turn your ideas into something that adds value to your days.

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It seems likely that it may be impossible to eradicate stress entirely. But immersing yourself in nature is never a bad idea. So could forest bathing be the answer? But what is forest bathing, and is it actually good for you? Or just a bit woo-woo?

Although stress levels in the UK appear to be rising, there may be a simple way to help manage or reduce stress: forest bathing. A survey earlier this year found that 63% of individuals are stressed at least every week, up by a third since the research in 2018.

Dealing with stress and its symptoms and knock-on effects on your health can be expensive. Holistic treatments don’t come cheap. Nor does therapy. So, giving forest bathing a go, considering it’s free, seems like a shoo-in, no? So how can it be practised, and what are some of its key benefits?

What is forest bathing? Let’s start there

Many of us have been for a peaceful stroll in a forest, but we may not have noticed everything around us and properly tuned in to nature. Forest bathing is a way of going for a woodland walk and consciously, fully connecting with the forest. It originated in Japan in the eighties as shinrin-yoku. Which translates to forest bathing, or taking in the forest atmosphere through our senses.

Forest bathing is a way of going for a woodland walk and consciously, fully connecting with the forest

Bella von Nesselrode, MCMA, Dip Shinrin Yoku + Face Yoga, founder of Children of Earth Skincare, says we should “think of it as a normal woodland walk, just much more intentional and backed by science. It’s one of the few ways in our busy, modern lives to reset the body’s stress response. On the outside, it seems like a slow walk in the forest with no distractions. However, when unpacked, due to the techniques used during the excursion, there is a whole host of scientifically proven benefits for the body and mind.”

The science behind being in nature

It’s probably no surprise to hear that spending time in nature is good for you, and science backs that. A 2018 study compared the anxiety levels between individuals walking in forests and those walking in city areas. It highlighted the psychological benefits of walking through forest areas as it decreased anxiety and confusion. But it also revealed a ‘significant correlation between psychological responses and trait anxiety levels.’

Another study demonstrated that forest bathing could improve sleep

And other research highlights that it can reduce stress, effective in managing anger and depression, increasing mental relaxation and aiding the respiratory, immune and cardiovascular systems.

Perfecting forest bathing and breathing

Like many practices or forms of relaxation, you need to give forest bathing adequate time. Ensure you don’t have anything to rush back for that could impact your mental state.

Von Nesselrode suggests packing snacks and drinks and heading to a forest for at least 2-4 hours. She adds, “The longer your excursions last, the more in tune with nature you become. Turn off your devices to give yourself the best chance of relaxing, being mindful and enjoying a sensory forest-based experience.”

Once you start moving into the forest, it’s important to slow down, take in everything around you, and take deep breaths for optimal relaxation

“Extending the exhalation of air to twice the length of the inhalation sends a message to the body that it can relax,” says von Nesselrode. “To enter a ‘flow state’, start by stating your intent to forest bathe and mean it.”

Focus on the senses

A significant part of forest bathing is the space, time, and environment that allow you to tune into your senses. For that reason, Forestry England suggests you should keep your eyes open, to really feel and engage with the colours around you. “The colours of nature are soothing, and studies have shown that people relax best while seeing greens and blues.”

Consider how it makes you feel, and touch, smell, hear, and see what is around you

While in nature, you can sit quietly and be mindful of the environment. Consider how it makes you feel, and touch, smell, hear, and see what is around you. It’s important to switch your brain off everyday issues as much as possible, and focus on the moment.

The Threshold of Connection

Von Nesselrode refers to this immersion in nature and dismissal of daily issues as the Threshold of Connection. She says, “This threshold is a ceremonial mark of your forest bathing experience. It’s also what sets this experience apart from other experiences. Open yourself up to the world of the forest. Quieten your mind, absorb the natural feel of the environment and atmosphere into your body for at least 15 minutes.”

She advises sitting and enjoying your drink and snacks at the end of the forest bathing session (the Threshold of Incorporation) to mark a return to normal life.

Is it a bit too alternative?

If it sounds a bit ‘out there’ for you, consider adapting your usual natural experiences. For example, when you go for a walk outside, gradually begin to notice what’s around you. Sharpen your senses and increase the length of your walk. If you’re not quite ready to sit and practice mindfulness in the forest, do little things to detach yourself from reality, such as switching off your phone or not having anything to rush home for.

“Forest bathing is a game-changer after a stressful week, or before a period of high pressure or change,” says von Nesselrode. “Reducing stress is incredibly powerful for all areas of the body. Stress creates high cortisol, which inhibits collagen production (therefore ageing) and lowers immunity.”

Plus, between 2.5 and 5 million people walk the Japanese forest trails every year, so there must be something to it!

Find your local forest at Forestry England, Forestry & Land Scotland, at National Resources Wales, or The Ireland Walking Guide’s Guide to Forests

Sarah Haselwood

Sarah Haselwood is a freelance writer and journalist, who is passionate about travel, health and wellness, and HR topics. She dabbles in creative writing and is trying to write a novel.

The post Is forest bathing actually good for you? appeared first on Silver Magazine.

As well as giving you the chance to get some vitamin D, which is great for your immune system, doing a hobby you enjoy triggers dopamine, the hormone that helps you feel motivated. In fact, the NHS has prescribed gardening as part of tits Long Term Plan since 2019, showcasing that the professionals believe in its health benefits. How can you create the perfect garden for retirement?

So, how can you create the perfect garden once you’ve retired?

Call in the experts

If your garden is a bit of a challenge, consider calling in the contractors to tackle the big tasks first. If there are trees that need clearing or landscaping to be done, it can be worth investing in the services of professionals who know where to start.

Additionally, you can add in decking or a patio to divide up a larger garden and make your outdoor space more manageable. Once you have everything in order, you can concentrate on making the space your own.

Grow your own

You could try growing your own produce. Whether you’re new to gardening or a pro, there are plenty of vegetables that are relatively easy to grow in your own patch. And it can be rewarding to tuck into the foods that you grow yourself.

Find a flat part of your garden so that your patch is level and make sure the plants get plenty of light. Also, check out the growing guides for each fruit and vegetable you plant as they will need different watering levels.

Plant new plants

Shrubs and hedges can form pretty, elegant borders in your garden. It’s worth starting with these big-ticket plants before going for smaller flowers so that you can work out your boundaries.

Keep everything neat with the right tools, too. A cordless edge trimmer for your shrubbery will keep them tidy, as well as hoes, rakes and shears being some of the essentials to invest in if you’re focusing on your garden now.

Choose outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture can transform the space. If you’ve set up some decking or a patio, this a great area to place a sofa, some garden cushions and an outdoor table. This means you’re more likely to make the most of your outdoor space as you can sit in your garden and take in all your hard work.

What will you do with your garden?

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