This week we’re hearing from Julia Sands, an accredited practitioner of the Institute for Outdoor Learning and founder of Ipse Wilderness.

Hey, Julia! If you could recommend One Good Thing everyone can do to improve their mental health, what would it be?

A daily 15-minute walk in green (or blue) space, ie in a park, woodland or any kind of space with views of nature and/or water.

Why is this your One Good Thing?

Multiple studies have found a causal link between exercise in nature and a reduced risk of mental health problems, improved mood, lower stress, increased life satisfaction and eudaimonic wellbeing.

How can we use a daily walk for our mental health?

Go outside, move your body, look around and take notice. Even if you can’t walk far, spending time in nature is restful and restorative because it provides ‘soft fascination’: pleasant things to notice that don’t require our effort. Studies have proved that walking in woodland and noticing three good things in nature each day (eg hearing birdsong or watching leaves sway in the wind) has a significantly positive impact on mental wellbeing after just five days, including for those with a specific mental health diagnosis such as depression or anxiety.

One Good Thing: use ‘soft fascination’ to make your daily walk better for your mental health