Why woods do you good
Feeling low on oomph? Power up by powering down – and make the most of every mile by plugging into the free energy bank that is your local forest.
THOSE OF US striving to achieve our 1000-mile goal this year will be well aware that the challenge isn't a sprint but a marathon. Not the sort where you encounter the likes of pain barriers, black toe nails and ditch-side toilet stops; rather one where you get to exercise and relax at the same time, improving your fitness but just as importantly your mental wellbeing.
Every walk soothes the spirit, but if you want the biggest boost, a forest or woodland offers the intensive treatment, as it allows you to immerse yourself in nature – to become so much more than merely an observer. Being surrounded by a cloak of trees completely removes you far from the world of daily briefings and Zoom chats, fast. Instead, you can focus on a forest’s infinitely varied colour palette, hearing a breeze flowing through the trees, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face, and smelling the fresh scent of the forest.
We’ve got 1000 miles to cover, but the recipe for success isn’t focusing on that far off goal, it’s practising enjoying each mile and moment as it unfolds. Pay attention to the present – its fine detail and your connection to the world – and the miles will take care of themselves. With every step that’s something forests are wonderful at reminding us. Never mind the end of the journey, the swirling scents, sounds and sights seem to say, look at all this!
We’re lucky to have so many natural spaces that bring us away from a more stressful world. Forestry England alone has some 1500 forests – some large and well-trodden, though there could be many smaller ones close to home which you might never have heard of, but are there, waiting for you to explore.
And research shows that it’s important to escape to these places whenever you possibly can. The health benefits of spending just a few hours a week in forest environments include lowering blood pressure and pulse rate, while mindful walking can improve our cognitive function. The likes of the Mental Health Foundation and the World Health Organisation also say physical activity helps
to reduce depression and anxiety, and improves our overall wellbeing.
Accessing wild spaces has been particularly important over the past year, as people have fought to overcome the mental strains of living through a global pandemic.
A survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation has shown that half of those who have experienced stress because of Covid say visiting green spaces is helping them cope, while almost 60 per cent say walking is also a great benefit.
Of course, slowing down isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For some, it’s the expulsion of energy that helps us de-stress and relax, and Forestry England certainly has its share of tougher trails to get the pulse racing, if that’s what you’re yearning for. What’s important is getting out there and seeing what these pockets of wildness have to offer. It surely beats an hour or two on the treadmill!
FIND FOREST TRAILS NEAR YOU
www.forestryengland.uk/activities/ walking-trails-and-routes