On Monday this week, I began an experiment that I am hoping will help me to feel happier, more energised, and more in tune with the rhythms of nature.
Last Friday, I went to the Recharge and Rise day, organised by The Loop Chesterfield. It was a day for women running their own businesses and creative projects in and around Derbyshire.
One of the speakers was the lovely Jenny Lowthrop, who gave a very inspiring talk, and one of the things she mentioned was #Morningoutside, which is where you venture outside first thing in the morning. I was intrigued!
Going outside in the morning has numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. It allows you to soak up natural vitamin D from sunlight, which is essential for bone health and immune function. Morning sunlight also helps regulate your circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep patterns. Additionally, being outdoors in the morning has been linked to increased energy levels and improved mood throughout the day. Sounds good right!?
So, myself, Jenny and a few others have decided to try it for the next month, and check in each day to give us the accountability factor! I imagine some days it will be more difficult than others to get outside just after waking up!
Three days in, I decided to take my Morning Outside for a walk! I even left my phone in the house, which is pretty unheard of for me these days. It was lovely not to have ‘notification anxiety’. This is when I worry that I will get a notification because I will want to deal with it straight away, but also I don’t want to. Does anyone else get that? It is just one element of ‘technostress’!
My mind felt much clearer and I was more able to notice things around me as I walked. I only went out for 15 minutes, around the ‘block’, near where I live. Here’s what I noticed:
The soft, gentle rain on my face. It was mild outside, and there was very little breeze, so the rain just gently drizzled down. I have paid money for a similar experience at a health spa, so I just made the most of the nice feeling, rather than put my hood up and try to avoid it.
Birds – The happy chipping and chirping of house sparrows, the fruity, fluty song of the blackbird, the silvery twiddle song of a robin, the tinkly tones of goldfinches and, rather amusingly, a great tit making it’s ‘tee-cher, tee-cher’ song in a bush right outside the local primary school! The bass notes were provided by the soft crooning of woodpigeons and collared doves, and I even caught the nasal ‘zsheeee’ sounds of greenfinches in the background.
Plants – The bright yellow bushes of forsythia that are absolutely spectacular for about a week at this time of year, before disappearing and blending in with all the other greenery for the rest of the time. The scent of a flowering currant bush next to the pavement. Not exactly a flowery smell, but definitely reminiscent of redcurrants. The daffodils are starting to come to an end, and tulips are starting to come out now – I noticed a lovely dark purple one in a garden. The tree blossom is really starting to stand out now, with cherry and magnolia trees looking beautiful just at the moment.
It is nice to have a bit of peaceful time outside for myself, before the busyness of the day begins. I am certainly enjoying my Mornings Outside so far and I am optimistic that it will have a noticeable, positive effect on my health and well-being.
The Nature Coach 