The Five Ways to Wellbeing is a set of five evidence based actions that promote wellbeing
If followed regularly, can improve wellbeing and enhance quality of life
The outdoors as a therapeutic environment
The world outside our built environment is rich in many ways, but the principle one for me is the sense of freedom it gives us. Our daily lives now are incredibly busy, not just with functional tasks that need completing, but with the incessant pressures of online communication, social media, news coming through to us from every possible media source and the general feeling that we should be doing more than we are and that we are probably not good enough! These constant sources of anxiety impact on people of all backgrounds, ages and circumstances and in different ways, and are increasingly hard to switch off from.
That is until we go OUTSIDE
Being in the natural world immediately fills our heads with a myriad of other sensory distractions and, if we engage with them, gives us a way to quiet those worrying thoughts and feelings and connect with the now, to discover ourselves and our surroundings in the moment.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing
Public Health England promotes five key actions that everybody (including our children) can do to make noticeable improvements in their own wellbeing
The outdoors is the perfect place to bring these actions into our everyday lives and to steady ourselves against the pressures of a busy, bustling world
Connect
Connect to a natural environment by spending time there, becoming familiar with the wildlife, taking part in practical tasks. Connect with others by seeing each other in a new place, talking and walking, removing the walls and restrictions that come from being indoors. Have freer conversations and make new friendships, or just take existing ones outside for a new perspective on things.
Be Active
There are very few outdoor activities that don’t also involve physical activity. Whether that’s getting to a place, taking part in physical tasks, taking part in sports and games or even creating dance and theatre pieces on outdoor stages. There is a natural environment for all physical abilities and the urge to explore can give us the motivation to move a little more than we might otherwise do.
Learn
Where to start! The outdoors is a classroom all of its own and the possibilities for learning are endless. Find out more about the fauna and flora around you or investigate the beach ecosystems of your place and discover ancient landmarks or spots of historical significance. Or simply learn from one another, share stories, share skills, learn a craft, learn about yourself in a space which gives you the freedom to do so.
Give
Are you helping out around the house? So you’re giving to your family. Are you taking care of or helping out with brothers and sisters? Are you volunteering or helping out in the community? The feeling of making a contribution and giving to others has a huge impact on our self-esteem and feelings of belonging.
Take Notice
How often do we just stop & take the time to look, listen, smell, feel the breeze around us, enjoy the warmth of the sun, and enjoy the power & life-giving force of the rain? Being outside gives us the permission we need to ignore our screens & re-engage with the living things all around us.
As John Muir, the famous naturalist and pioneer of modern day conservation wrote:
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
Where’s the proof?
There has been significant research on the benefits of the natural environment for health and wellbeing with a growing body of evidence showing the numerous and varied benefits for people of outdoor activity in the natural environment.
Evidence suggests that wellbeing is also important in other aspects of young people’s lives, for example….
Performance
Young people with a good level of wellbeing are more likely to perform well at school and be physically healthy (Department of Health).
Development
Enabling young people to develop awareness about the importance of looking after their wellbeing could offer benefits for their mental health in the future because we know that 75% of adult mental health problems begin before the age of 18
Protection
Emotional and mental wellbeing could be a protective factor in reducing the likelihood of young people using drugs or alcohol (Public Health England, 2013)