The third step- stepping out
The Natural Pathway to Health is a framework to help you engage with nature. Any one of us can suffer ill health or injury and the pathway enables us to engage with nature no matter where we may be on our health journey.
Perhaps you are recovering from illness or injury and venturing outside again for the first time, or perhaps age, injury or disease has meant you are unable to participate in the activities you were once able to. The resources in this section may help you.
Find a local greenspace
Breathe some fresh air into your life. The outdoors helps us cope with life’s ups and downs. Your local area can be the perfect place to enjoy tranquil spots, find peace and quiet and also have some fun. You don’t need to go far or for long. Connecting with nature can begin right on your doorstep. Just sitting in the sunshine for five minutes and breathing in the fresh air can have a positive impact on your wellbeing.
Check out or Greenspace page to find a park, forest, nature reserve, walk or cycle route near you.
If your legs can’t carry you far, then a drive to take in new scenery will do wonders for your wellbeing. For some, our eyes will carry us much further than our legs ever will. Take a picnic and make the most of it.
Start a new hobby or join a group
There may be some gentle activities you can engage with, found in our directory. Things such as Forest Bathing, gentle walks, therapy gardening groups and relaxation and mindfulness would suit those who have perhaps not been mobile for a time, or are not able to be as mobile as they once were.
Gardening for beginners
Even if you do not have a garden, there are hints and tips on how to grow from your windowsill or doorstep in this handy resource from The Wildlife Trust
If you are fortunate to have access to a garden, then there are some gentle and easy ways to start growing your own plants, vegetables and flowers. The Royal Horticultural Society has a beginners guide to gardening. They have also produced a handy month by month activities guide to help keep you active throughout the year.
If you do not have a garden, you can find some hints and tips on how to grow from your window sill or doorstep in this handy resource from The Wildlife Trust.
Not everyone can manage strenuous activity in the garden, no matter how beneficial it might be. Thrive offers top tips for disabled gardeners, including how to adapt activities to suit your abilities. Independent Living UK also have tips on accessible gardening on their website.
Feed the birds and the butterflies
There are all kinds of ways to feed birds, from bird tables and hanging feeders, to devices you can make. There is a huge variety of garden birds you may attract to your feeders, from blue tits to woodpeckers and in some parts of the Highlands you may even attract Red Squirrels and Pine Marten.
You can even plant tasty food for birds, butterflies, bees and other insects or build a bug hotel. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has a wealth of knowledge and guidance on feeding birds on their website.