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-   -   If you go down to the woods today...it will banish the winter blues (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=483071)

Demi Wed, Oct-09-19 01:02

If you go down to the woods today...it will banish the winter blues
 
Quote:
If you go down to the woods today...it will banish the winter blues, say health experts

Spending time in nature even when the nights draw in can help alleviate the winter blues, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Forestry England have advised.

Leading psychiatrists and the largest provider of outdoor recreation in England are urging people to continue venturing outdoors this autumn and winter to improve their mental health.

One in three people in Britain suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as the days grow shorter but studies have shown that visiting forests can boost social, mental and physical health. Walking in nature also improves cognitive function and helps support the immune system.

However, one in five people who visit forests regularly say they never go in the wintertime.

“Spending time outdoors in nature, including in woodlands and forests, can really improve mental health,” said Dr Alan Kellas, a psychiatrist and lead for Green Care on the Royal College of Psychiatrists’s Sustainability Committee.

“Our senses are engaged differently, our attention changes, we naturally become more mindful, our mood settles if aroused or anxious, or lifts if low or depressed, our imagination can be sparked and we can gain a different perspective on our lives, projects and problems.

“Noticing the way trees grow and mature, their autumnal colours or winter skeletons, or the way wildlife adapts to seasons changing, can help slow our ruminating thoughts and help us see our place in the wider web of life.”

Anxiety and depression costs the UK economy an estimated £70-£100 million a year yet studies have shown that spending as little as two hours a week in nature is an effective evidence based strategy for maintaining good mental health.

Last month Forestry England announced 125 miles (200km) in new running trails through Britain’s forests to encourage people to get out into nature.
The organisation is also increasing the numbers of wildlife walks, archery, fitness classes for new mums, foraging workshops, wild women days, and yoga.

Ellen Devine is the Wellbeing Projects Manager at Forestry England, which is encouraging more people to visit forests as the nights draw in, said: “From the colours of autumn to the crisp frost of a winter’s morning, the forest is full of magical moments.

“While it can be tempting to retreat at this time of year, it’s so important to keep going outside and keep exploring. Even a short visit to the woods can work wonders for how we feel.”

The campaign was launched ahead of World Mental Health Day on Thursday.
Dr Liz O’Brien, Head of the Social and Economic Research Group at Forest Research, who has been researching how woodland can contribute to people’s health and wellbeing said: “Spending time in woodlands helps people develop social connections with others, and provides a wide range of sensory benefits as well as a chance to enjoy and observe seasonal changes in nature.”


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science...health-experts/

Bonnie OFS Fri, Oct-11-19 10:35

Quote:
Spending time in woodlands helps people develop social connections with others...


Doesn't do that for me - I hate walking with other people! Their pace is either too fast or too slow for me, or they TALK! Hate that. My favorite cat accompanies me most of the time. She's learned not to try tripping me & best of all - she doesn't talk. :D

The only downside is needing to keep an eye out for bears & cougars. ;)

Ms Arielle Fri, Oct-11-19 12:45

ya, I always headed to the sea thru the woods after school. Needed the down time by myself.

Knowing what I do now, 10,000 units vitD3 is far more effective to killing SAD. Though I never pass up getting out in the wood....oh, wait, I live in the wood.

Meme#1 Fri, Oct-11-19 12:58

When I go into the woods and it's only me, I always think about how lucky I am to have that.
I use to do that as a kid a lot. We lived in a subdivision surrounded by woods over a creek and there was an old wooden bridge that I would sit on for hours waiting and watching for animals to come out. I saw Red Fox, Deer, owls.
I found an animal track that I took a pic of with a quarter next to it for comparison and had a specialist look at it because I didn't know if it was cat or canine. She said it was canine. This track is huge about the size of my St.Bernard. Probably a big wolf. There's also been a sighting of a black panther/couger for several years now in the area. One person even saw it with cubs.

Ms Arielle Fri, Oct-11-19 16:07

Being out in the woods brings peace. Good for the soul.

Bonnie OFS Sat, Oct-12-19 10:09

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ms Arielle
Being out in the woods brings peace. Good for the soul.


Amen to that! Which is why I live in the woods. And in case laziness makes me want to stay in the house, my animals need me - and the donkeys let me know!

Which reminds me, I've got to go out & set up my trail camera. There's a critter living under the house - I've got to find out what it is.

Meme#1 Sat, Oct-12-19 11:11

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonnie OFS
Amen to that! Which is why I live in the woods. And in case laziness makes me want to stay in the house, my animals need me - and the donkeys let me know!

Which reminds me, I've got to go out & set up my trail camera. There's a critter living under the house - I've got to find out what it is.


Possum or skunk? I would say Armadillo but you're not in Texas :lol:
Yes, get it out. When they tunnel and dig they destabilize your foundation blocks.

Ms Arielle Sat, Oct-12-19 13:04

Here, that would be the ground hog. oh, the holes they dig!!!


Never thought of a trail camera, I just know from occassional glimpses the deer and coyote that cruise thru regularly as the trail is defined pretty welll. or was, havent looked in years..

Meme#1 Sat, Oct-12-19 13:27

Trail cameras are fun, the things I've seen that creep in the night!

Here we have moles which stay underground and burrow but they're usually out on pastures where roots are.

WereBear Sat, Aug-27-22 07:14

Popping this to the top because it's that time of year again. I'm finally able to go for walks that are longer than the edge of the driveway with the trash. All the resting must have built up my reserves, because I'm deliberately going for a walk in a few minutes.

I was parking further away, like putting a park between me and my destination downtown, and yesterday I was out for 20 minutes until the rain chased me back to my car. I know all the level, easy, looping paths. This is the kind of exercise I like best.

Nature exposure doubles the good effect. At least, for me!


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