In 2023, 91% of Mind Over Mountains participants reported a lasting mental health benefit from our events - further strengthening our belief that therapeutic outdoor experiences can truly help when it comes to restoring and sustaining mental fitness.
Mind Over Mountains is a small yet ambitious charity, with an innovative approach to mental health. We believe that mental fitness can be restored and sustained through the power of the great outdoors - but how exactly can nature help? Read on to find out more.
Mental health in the UK
One in six adults will report a common mental health condition such as anxiety or depression on any given week in the UK. And of those one in six, only half will receive treatment in the form of talking therapies, medication, or both¹.
But the evidence is increasingly showing that traditional approaches to mental health care are not the answer for everyone. And research is now showing that being outside in nature, connecting with others, being physically active and practising mindfulness can be hugely beneficial.
In fact, in 2023, 91% of Mind Over Mountains participants reported a lasting mental health benefit from our events - further strengthening our belief that therapeutic outdoor experiences can truly help when it comes to restoring and sustaining mental fitness.
What is mental fitness?
Mental fitness is a term we use to describe our wellbeing. Its how well we cope with emotional stress - the fitness of our mental health. We all have up and down days; it’s completely normal to experience periods of stress or low mood. Being aware of your own mental fitness means that you recognise this, and you know when you need to take actions to improve your mental fitness.
Mental fitness includes cognitive health, emotional regulation, stress management, resilience, and the ability to be present in the moment. So what does it mean to restore mental fitness?
Just in the same way you might notice feeling out of breath when climbing the stairs, you might also notice that you feel unable to cope emotionally in certain situations. Noticing, and taking steps to tackle this is an important step towards restoring your mental fitness.
And continually working on your mental fitness by practising self care - and understanding how important it is to value your own wellbeing - helps to sustain a level of mental fitness. Think of it like running a marathon - you need regular training to build up to it, and to maintain a regular routine to stay in prime condition for race day.
What is Green Therapy?
Green therapy, or nature therapy, is becoming more and more widely accepted amongst mental health professionals as a highly effective way to improve and sustain mental health and wellbeing. This approach truly harnesses the restorative power of natural environments, and can take many different forms. It can be walking in parks, gardening, spending time near water, forest bathing or more structured therapeutic activities such as a guided Mind Over Mountains walk with trained counsellors and coaches - combining nature with walk and talk therapy.
Ultimately, green therapy utilises the healing qualities of natural settings - including exposure to greenery, fresh air, sunlight, and the sounds of nature. Combined, these elements help to reduce cortisol levels, improve attention and focus and foster a sense of calm and wellbeing,
How to get started with green therapy
The good news is that you can start on green therapy today. Right now! All you need to do is step outside.
Breathe in the fresh air, and thank the trees and plants for providing oxygen - and while you’re at it, extra thanks are due to trees for their production of phytoncides too. Phytoncides are volatile organic compounds that trees emit to protect themselves against disease and decay, and they have the power to strengthen our immune, hormonal, circulatory and nervous systems when we breathe them in!²
Enjoy the warm sun and naturally boost your body’s levels of Vitamin D - essential for both physical and mental health. Being low in this vitamin can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, loss of interest in hobbies, trouble sleeping and forgetfulness.
Move your body and get the endorphins flowing. You have more room to move outdoors, and you’re more likely to benefit from these feel-good hormones outside.
Enjoy the view - what more can we say? We’ve got some truly stunning places of natural beauty here in the UK, but it doesn’t always have to be a walk up a mountain or through a nature reserve. There are green spaces in urban places too, and research has found that when you combine all of the above with some greenery no matter where you are, you can you reap all the same benefits. Being outdoors in nature, with all the beauty it provides, can lower cortisol levels, which leads to reduced stress and anxiety, better mood, better sleep, and better cognitive function.
Find a walk and talk group and make connections with others. Here at Mind Over Mountains, our trained counsellors and coaches walk alongside you, giving you the opportunity to talk and be listened to, without pressure or judgement and in a totally safe space. Take a look at our upcoming events for more information.
So, just go for a walk. Move your body, take in the nature, and actively restore and sustain your mental fitness. Weather permitting, you can do this every single day. And get in touch if you’d like to join us up on the hills - our guided walk and talk events are a great opportunity for you to make new connections out in nature.
²: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/immerse-yourself-for-better-health
