When\u2019s the last time you went on an outdoor adventure? And, I mean spent significant time? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s probably been a while and with good reason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, the outdoors has a number of benefits that the indoors doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, first you get to breathe the fresh air. Also, you can reconnect with nature, non-man made items, artifacts and particles beautifying your space and life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I could go on and on, but I want to get to the best part of this post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merrell, a rugged outdoor footwear brand, has partnered with Mind, a mental health charity, to help people engage in outdoor adventures and explore the outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are you down for the cause?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope so! Keep reading for more insight and ideas on going on outdoor adventures, and exploring your local area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Mind\u2019s research:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMore than half of adults (60%) and over two thirds of young people (68%) have said their mental health got worse during lockdown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust over two thirds (68%) of young people said that their mental health had got worse during lockdown, with this rising to three quarters (74%) of people aged 18\u201324.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYoung people are more likely to have experienced poor mental health during lockdown than adults.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople with experience of mental health problems are more likely to see their mental health worsen as a result of coronavirus restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlthough they are less affected than those who have experienced mental health problems, more than one in five (22%) young people and adults who have not experienced mental health problems prior to the pandemic said that their mental health was poor or very poor during lockdown. Just over half of young people (57%) and adults (53%) without experience of mental health problems had a lower than average wellbeing score during lockdown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the full statistics, go to Mind-Mental Health Emergency<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the pandemic, we saw a number of actions taken by governments across the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lockdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n City ordinances\/restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curfews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the basis of these actions, the fundamental part of life was also restricted. Human Interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are social creatures\u2014a phrase we\u2019ve heard dozens of times in our lives. But, I honestly didn\u2019t know the depth of this phrase until this year. Did you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mind\u2019s research concluded several things from its participants. Some of the main mental health challenges were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot being able to see people (79%), not being able to go outside (74%) and anxiety about family and friends getting coronavirus (74%)\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boredom. \u201cBoredom was a major problem for young people; 83% said it had made their mental health worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLoneliness has also been a key contributor to poor mental health \u2013 particularly for young people. Just under three quarters of young people (72%) said loneliness had made their mental health worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, I agree with these results. Why? Because I\u2019ve felt them too. You may have as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I shared my own struggles with you in the past month to show that it\u2019s ok to not feel ok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel is Therapeutic. I Will Not Be Shamed for My Self-Love Getaway<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n IGTV: My Honest Moment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n How has the coronavirus pandemic affected you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merrell and Mind have partnered up to run the initiative: Hike From Home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hike From Home \u201cinspires everyone to explore new, local walks from their doorstep as a means to enjoy time outdoors during the pandemic as well as supporting mental health and wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, the question is: do you like hiking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hiking could have a positive or negative connotation depending on the person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, those of you who don\u2019t like going on outdoor adventures, science shows that spending time outside and exercising \u201ccan aid both physical and mental health.\u201d In fact, \u201cecotherapy, a type of therapy which involves doing activities outside in nature, has been shown to help with mild and moderate depression.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, the outdoors is not just for those with mental health concerns. It\u2019s for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Personally, being outdoors has improved my mood. It also helped me release anxiety during these uncertain times. I\u2019ve been able to appreciate the things in life that I take for granted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hike From Home is especially a personal journey for those who want to reconnect with themselves on a deeper level and be present in the moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018I\u2019ve been reconnecting through walks with the family, for us, it\u2019s been discovering new routes from our doorstep and spending quality time with the kids. When the treadmill of normal life stops, it has afforded us more time to explore new things, and we\u2019ve found walking around our local area, finding new cool places a necessary break from the same four walls,\u201d\u00a0says MistaJam, who has been challenged with mental health concerns and ultimately supports of the Hike From Home initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what do you say? Are you down to hike?<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information visit the website<\/a> or to make a donation, visit the JustGiving page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHere are the reasons people have been affected:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How going on outdoor adventures may help you cope:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n