What a year it’s been! With no ‘old normal’ yet in sight, it’s apparent that we need to accept the way things are for the foreseeable future and this means continuing to enjoy the great outdoors and the marvellous great British countryside.
I think many people have started to appreciate Britain and what it has to offer in terms of nature and beauty more than they ever have done before. Last year, overseas holidays reduced dramatically and many opted for ‘staycations’. Personally, we chose not too as we wanted to stay home as much as possible, but it was nice to see so many choosing to stay ‘local’ and learn to love and appreciate what the UK has to offer.
Of course, we can’t always go off on holiday, especially at the moment, so we need to look at things we can do closer to home to keep active and in touch with nature. Getting outside is a great way to stretch the legs, get some vitamin D and breathe some fresh air. Here are some things you can do during a lockdown, some of which we’ve done ourselves over the last few months.
A simple walk
It’s not rocket science and anyone with a pair of shoes can do it! Sometimes a simple walk can be enough to get the endorphins flowing and fresh air can make all the difference when you’ve been stuck in the house for days on end. You might even see others on your route and a simple social distanced quick catch up can do wonders for your mental health. Just remember though, mixing isn’t currently allowed and make sure you plan your route to avoid crowds according to the latest Coronavirus rules and guidelines in your area. We’re lucky to live in the countryside and don’t have this issue, but unfortunately, it’s not that easy for many across the UK.
Make the most of local woodlands
If like us, you live in the countryside and have woodlands locally, they will be a godsend. We have one right on our doorstep and this area of natural beauty has been visited frequently by many locals.
Children love it. They get to explore nature, searching for treasures and picking up sticks and rocks, all of which you can use for crafts when you get home. It’s a welcome change of scenery to the monotonous back garden and it’s a real privilege to have it on our doorstep.
Identify trees
While you’re in the woodland, why not plan ahead and get yourself a book to help you identify trees? Identifiable using leaves, twigs, fruit, flowers and twigs, this is all great additional education for kids if you’re finding them struggling with homeschooling. Every little bit of education helps.
Camping
Hey, you can’t travel further afield at the moment, and even when you can, like us, not everyone might not want to, but who’s to say that you can’t have a mini-adventure in your back garden?! Got a tent? Put it up in the back garden and have a weekend camping. A homely kitchen and toilet are to hand (sounds far more appealing to me if I’m being honest). Have a barbecue, play some music and enjoy the great outdoors. Admittedly, this sounds far more appealing for the summer months, but it’s a cheap and easy way to have fun and bond as a family. This is on my list for this summer!
If you’re interested in reading more, Regatta has released a great interactive asset on their site: https://www.regatta.com/blog/harnessing-the-power-of-nature/. Take a look to find out more about the benefits of the great outdoors.
Leave me your outdoor adventure tips in the comments. I’d love to read them.