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    15 Minutes to Nature

    15 Minutes to Nature

    “A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” – Mary Davis
    15 Minutes to Nature
    Hello again!

    Here’s a few thoughts I’d like to share with you this week…

    Would I rather be up in the Cairngorm mountains – wind howling, sun shining – than here in my shed, typing this?

    Hell, yes!

    But I’m not there today. I’m here.

    So am I still glad that I nipped out earlier for a quick walk in my local park?

    Still yes.

    Reframing what counts as ‘nature’ is an important part of getting more connected with the outdoors, more often.

    Nature is sometimes closer than you think. Even just stepping through your front door gets you into the fresh air and sunlight of the great outdoors. Don’t underestimate how spectacular that is: this is the only place we know of in the entire universe where you can breathe lungfuls of fresh air and bask under a Goldilocks sky that is neither too hot nor too cold.

    Would I rather be breathing in the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean than the motorway-scented hum of home? Yes. But that sunshine and breeze here still feels good.

    I really cherished my weeks in the Arctic, hovering on a skin of beautiful blue ice over the black depths of the freezing ocean. Everywhere I looked, I saw things I had never seen before.

    But even on my local map, I still discover new places every single time I set out to do so.

    Heading into the outdoors doesn’t need to involve kitting up, getting sweaty, and yomping for miles with a map. It can be as pleasantly simple as taking a moment to sit down somewhere with a drink, and listen to the birds singing.
    A quick hike isn’t going to get you as fit as cycling across China, but it’s going to do you more good than not getting out at all.
    This photo was delayed by a few minutes, because a couple decided to come and lie in the daffodils even though I’d already set up my tripod and was clearly trying to snap this photo. 😃

    Fortunately they didn’t linger long, and did not remove clothes. 🙃

    One of the most delicious things about arduous expeditions in wild landscapes like Greenland is that you’re so exhausted by day’s end that falling asleep is exquisitely delicious.

    Even a short burst of fresh air and exposure to natural light helps regulate your body clock, making it easier to fall asleep at night.

    I love a trip to the mountains, but the downsides are that it costs a lot to get there, and you generally need expensive equipment. The good thing about the nature you’ll find less than 15 minutes from home is that it’s free!

    The more I walk these paths, the more I care about keeping them wild and clean.

    Whilst I really wish I was packrafting in Iceland today, I’m not. Instead I’ve been blasting away at this screen for 7 hours now – and I even forgot to eat lunch (a rare occurrence indeed!) What I really needed was just a few minutes away from my screen, to climb a tiny hill, stare off into the distance, and let my brain wind down a little. Studies show that even 15 minutes in nature lowers stress and improves focus.

    Perhaps best of all, the days it has taken me to put this little blog post together have helped me build more of a daily habit of exploring the green pockets of space close to where I live.

    Even if you’re not a ‘nature person,’ just try it once. Take your coffee outside, walk a different route home, or sit under a tree. See how it feels.

    I think the notion of ’15 Minutes to Nature’ is something I might explore further. What do you think? Where’s the nearest bit of nature to you? How often do you go? Hit ‘reply’ and let me know your ideas, and please do get involved in the challenge below!

         

    One Suggestion For Us To Try

    I have always felt that coming up with a good excuse is one of the most important parts of heading off on adventures large and small.

    If we then share these moments, we help show others how easy and rewarding it can be to find nature nearby

    So my suggestion to you this week is to dig out your favourite photos of distant travels and adventures, and then head out to recreate them somewhere that is less than a 15 minute walk or ride away. I really enjoyed taking these photos. I hope you might give it a try too.

    Please do send me any photos you take, or share them online using the hashtag #15MinutesNature.

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