Go Outside

Spending time outside in green spaces and natural light can have very positive effects on your mental health.

As a student, you may spend a lot of time in your room or the library in front of a screen and then, to get a break from studying, you may flick over to YouTube or Netflix and spend more time in your room on a screen! Staying cooped up inside all day can have negative impacts on both your mental and physical health. Making time to get into nature, even when things are busy, can be a really simple way to help reduce some of the stress in your life.

Multiple studies suggest that spending time in green spaces, such as fields, forests and parks, can reduce risks of mental health problems, improve your mood and increase life satisfaction.¹While out in nature the increased physical activity leads to better physical health which in turn supports good mental health too. Spending time in natural light can have huge benefits as well, with studies linking it to improved mental health and better sleep.² Taking time away from your room or office can also help you put things into perspective and help you gather your thoughts.

Even if you live in a big city or urban environment, there are lots of simple ways to start increasing the amount of time you spend outside. Here’s a few simple suggestions to get you outside more regularly:

Walk or cycle into university or work. You could even try to find different routes each weeks to explore your local environment.

Get into gardening. Even with a small garden you can experiment with planting flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Take your lunch break outside. British weather can be a bit hit-and-miss as we all know, but trying to spend your lunch break outside can help get you into nature and away from the stress of work.

Take up photography. Camera phones are so good now that you don’t even need any special equipment to take great photos. Explore nearby nature to try and find the perfect shots and share them on a social media account or photo album.

Challenge yourself. Kill two birds with one stone by getting more exercise whilst you spend time outside away from the daily pressures of life. “Couch to 5k” is a great example of an exercise plan that’s easy to follow and starts at a beginner’s level, giving you an activity (in this case running) that will get you out into natural spaces.³

Get yourself out into nature and see for yourself how green spaces, fresh air and sunlight can help to improve your mood and give you space to process your thoughts and emotions.

Disclaimer: No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.