ARE YOU USING THE OUTDOORS FOR YOUR MIND HYGIENE?
In times where physical hygiene is paramount and our mental wellbeing is under more, or at least different, pressures I'd like to introduce mind hygiene and how the outdoors can help.
Photo: Mountain bike practice, Morzine
BOTH MIND HYGIENE AND PHYSICAL HYGIENE...
- Are equally important to everyone. Nobody is immune
- Require lots of small preventative measures to avoid any issues building up
- Need good habits and routines used frequently
- Need personal approaches
- Have impact on people around you
WITH SOME DIFFERENCES...
- It's hard to notice the effect of bad mind hygiene on others AND yourself
- The effects take longer to impact you
-
So what does mental hygiene constitute...
YOUR MIND-HYGIENE WASHBAG
If your body needs toothbrushes and soaps, what does your mind need?
Here are some ideas...
TALKING
MEDITATION
SMILING
EXERCISE
MINDFUL ACTS
NATURE
GRATITUDE
SELF KINDNESS
WALKING
Photo: Relaxing after hiking to Switzerland. School trip 2019
HOW CAN THE OUTDOORS HELP
-
The outdoors can provide a gateway into good mind hygiene.
Here's why we love it... - Countless fun ways to exercise
- It's easy to get peace & quiet
- It's the only place to really appreciate nature
- It's escapism: No desks, wifi, PC's, less people
- It makes it easy to form good, regular mind hygiene habits
Photo: Kayking, Lake Montriond, Morzine. School trip 2019
We like to think of the outdoors as a pharmacy for your mind hygiene
THE OUTDOOR PHARMACY
You could think of the outdoors as a pharmacy for your mind...
THE OUTDOOR PHARMACY
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Cortisol
-
It's the stress hormone
-
20 mins in nature redecues it
-
Take the nature pill...
FREE
No WiFi
-
Disconnect to reconnect
-
Constant connection to smart phones and social media cause anxiety
-
Leave your phone at home
FREE
Vitamin D
-
The body creates it in sunlight
-
Its protects against disease
-
and gives you healthy bones
FREE
Calm
-
Time is nature calms you down
-
People is green spaces report better mental health
-
Its boost your vitality
FREE
Endorphins
-
Neurochemical that makes you feel great
-
Its released during exercise
-
Your reward for looking after yourself
FREE
Serotonin
-
Regulates mood, temperature & appetite
-
Increases with fresh air, sunlight and soil!
-
Helps you sleep
FREE
Time to decide...
WHAT'S IN YOUR WASHBAG FOR THE MIND?
Photo: Col Du Cou, Morzine. School trip 2019