Embrace the summer months and find ways to be active that suit you.

While summer is here, there's no better time to relish the great outdoors. The warm sunshine, gentle breeze, and the sound of nature all have a positive impact on our well-being. In this blog, we'll delve into the many health advantages of spending time outdoors during summer. We'll also explore a range of gentle outdoor activities, ensuring a season of vitality and enjoyment.

Benefits to help you to feel healthier

Regular exposure to fresh air and sunlight provides numerous physical health benefits. Here are three reasons why spending time outdoors can positively impact your well-being:

• Vitamin D Boost: Sunlight is an excellent natural source of vitamin D, crucial for maintaining healthy bones, reducing the risk of falls, and promoting calcium absorption.
• Improve Respiratory Health: Breathing in fresh, outdoor air helps cleanse and rejuvenate the respiratory system, contributing to better lung function and alleviating respiratory ailments.
• Increase Energy Levels: Outdoor activities stimulate blood circulation and promote the production of endorphins, leading to heightened energy levels and a more active lifestyle.

Improve your mental well-being

The great news is, that the benefits of outdoor time go beyond your physical health. We can all experience significant mental and cognitive advantages through exposure to nature and fresh air:

• Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Nature has a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress levels and promoting a sense of calm. Spending time outdoors can also alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Enhance Cognitive Function: Being in natural surroundings and engaging in outdoor activities has been linked to improved memory, attention span, and overall cognitive performance. It stimulates the mind, keeping it sharp and active.
• Mood Elevation: The beauty of nature, coupled with the release of endorphins during physical activity, can lead to an uplifted mood, increased happiness, and a greater sense of well-being.

Outdoor activities to suit you

There are lots of gentle outdoor activities you can do to reap the benefits of fresh air and the great outdoors – without running a marathon or breaking a sweat! Fully enjoy the summer while trying some of these ideas:

1. Reading in Nature: Find a comfortable spot in a garden or park and indulge in your favourite books or magazines. Immerse yourself in the story while enjoying the fresh air and outdoor ambience.
2. Swimming: Swimming is a low-impact exercise that offers lots of health benefits. Head to your local pool or find a senior-friendly water aerobics class for a refreshing and enjoyable dip.
3. Yoga and Stretching: Explore the benefits of gentle yoga or stretching exercises in a serene outdoor setting. Take your mat to the garden, a nearby park, or even a beach to promote flexibility, balance, and relaxation.
4. Chair Exercise: Chair exercises provide a great way to stay active and can be done outdoors as well as inside. Perform seated exercises like leg raises, arm curls, and shoulder rolls in your garden or patio.
5. Gardening: We love gardening! Pottering in the garden is the ultimate way to connect with nature while enjoying a productive and therapeutic hobby. Plant flowers, tend to a vegetable patch, or create a beautiful container garden on your balcony.
6. Walking: A stroll into town, through the park or along the seafront is a great way to include gentle exercise into your day. Daily movement can lower your risk of developing everything from heart disease to dementia, while boosting your balance, flexibility and strength. Find the best kind of exercise for you.

In the South Downs region, we are lucky to have beautiful towns and outdoor spaces on our doorstep. We actively encourage tenants to enjoy all the ample opportunities that we have. So, are you feeling inspired?

Why not take the chance, while the weather is good, to enjoy the health benefits that fresh air and outdoor activities provide? Whether it's the physical advantages of improved bone health and energy levels or the mental well-being that comes from reduced stress and enhanced cognitive function, time spent in nature is time well spent.

Some of our houses host regular groups for tenants:

• Abbeyfield House, Tunbridge Wells – armchair keep fit every Tuesday
• Holdenhurst, Heathfield – regular activities in the Well-being Room

Plus, read more about gardening in our previous blog, Why gardening is good for your mind and body