Venturing into the great outdoors

Posted Saturday 1 August 2009

I'm off on holidays to the Antipodes soon and so I am probably the only person who harks back to the days when jumpers filled the shelves in August but all you really wanted was that summer dress. Now the shops are all stocking more seasonal wares, another change attributed to the recession. Trying on woollies when it's sunny outside makes you feel strangely disconnected.

With the publication in Britain of Richard Louv's book, columnists have been considering whether their children are being deprived of the benefits of growing up alongside nature. Surely all of us could benefit from welcoming a bit more nature into our lives and living in harmony with the seasons? It is established that "contact with nature promotes health and wellbeing", yet we've never been more urban or cut off from the natural environment. I've got a good excuse - a holiday with time and space to reconnect with nature and feel the sand between my toes (actually, it will be more sand blowing in my face at this time of year!).

It is worth remembering that even the over-crowded UK has wonderful nature reserves and open spaces that we can all find the time and energy to enjoy. Venturing into the great outdoors can be cheap or even free and benefits your body and mind, what more could you ask for?

Bridget O'Connell, Head of Information

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