How can we make the most of spending time in nature?

Once a week I go outdoor swimming (in a heated lido!), then I buy a coffee and a pastry and walk home through the local deer park. I cannot stress enough how crucial the coffee and pastry are to this self-care practice! I’m obviously privileged, in that being a freelancer means I can find time in the daytime to do this, and I have access to a lido and a deer park, but even when I was living in more deprived areas and working long hours, I still made time to go and sit in a park or by the river and take a beat to just breathe.

What are the benefits of getting regular self-care?

I live a very busy life, trying to juggle being an academic, activist and working part-time in a museum, with building a career as a freelancer. I often find that basic things like regularly sleeping and eating food that at one point grew from the ground, often falls by the wayside.

As someone with autism and ADHD I found it hard to break out of the pattern of feeling guilty, embarking on a massive ‘I’m going to go to the gym three times a week and cook vegetables’ Grand Life Overhaul, before inevitably failing and feeling like crap. Finding things that feel nice is a great way to prioritise exercise and self-care, rather than trying to force yourself to do things of guilt.

Exercise and self-care shouldn’t feel like a penance or an obligation. I have nothing against cold water swimming, but swimming in a heated swimming pool is just more pleasant, and you’re more likely to do something regularly if you enjoy it. Swimming in an outdoor heated lido feels extremely luxurious, and I look forward to checking up on the progress of ‘my’ deer every week. But the most important thing is that I’m carving time to spend just on me, without feeling guilty that it’s time I should be working or taking care of others.

Are there any ways we can go wrong?

The biggest pitfalls are lack of time, and lack of practical access. A lot of people are busy and overwhelmed, and the idea of adding another thing to your week feels like an overwhelming commitment. And of course, most people don’t have a lido and a deer park nearby!

The other pitfall is being overly ambitious and deciding to make major life changes in order to be healthier, but if you’re motivated by guilt or a sense of obligation, it’s less likely that you’ll stick with these changes. It’s better to start small and make enjoyable, manageable changes. Even 10 minutes of switching your phone off and standing in the garden or a local park can make a difference. It’s all about finding what works for you and your lifestyle.

One Good Thing: carve out time in nature, no matter where you live