The benefits of spending time outside in the fresh air are well known, of course, and the majority of us will try to fit this into our regular routines – but it can be harder to achieve the older we get, when our physical and cognitive abilities start to change and evolve.
For people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s, however, it could prove particularly beneficial, potentially helping to improve symptoms and even possibly slow the disease progression.
Surrey-based James Spinks, for example, recently wrote a blog post for the Alzheimer’s Society recounting how spending time in nature helps him manage his condition.
He explained: “The woodland is a good place to relax and be active, otherwise I’d sit around too much and get very down. The woods are particularly wonderful at bluebell time, when they’re carpeted in acres of blue flowers.
“Dementia is really not on my mind when I’m enjoying myself in the woods – except if I leave a wood saw or tools somewhere.”
Key benefits
There are many different benefits associated with getting outside in nature more, whether that’s going for a walk, doing the gardening or simply sitting down to soak up some rays for 15 minutes.
Boosting vitamin D levels can help improve your immune system, for example, as well as making you feel generally happier and more positive, giving your mental health a serious lift as well.
You may find that your sleep quality also improves if you spend more time outside. People with dementia may struggle with sleeping well or sleeping at the right times and poor sleep can also potentially make symptoms worse.
But being in nature and getting sunlight during the day can help reset your circadian rhythm, as well as helping to calm your mind and reduce any feelings of stress, anxiety and depression you might have, all of which can also affect your sleep.
It’s also an opportunity to engage with people in your local community more, helping to reduce social isolation and loneliness. You could consider joining a walking group, for example, or looking for some volunteering opportunities that would involve being outside.
Plogging is one way you could spend time out of doors while supporting your local community, where you jog (or walk) and pick up litter at the same time!
Dementia risks actually increase by around 60 per cent due to social isolation, so maintaining connections with friends and family is essential as we get older if we’re to help prevent cognitive decline.
How to enjoy nature more
Going for a walk or heading out to visit a local park are both excellent ways in which to spend more time outdoors – and you can make actively engage with the world around you in a more meaningful way by using apps and guidebooks to help you identify different trees, flowers and plants, giving your brain a workout at the same time.
See what birds you can spot, what different colours and textures you can see, what scents you can smell, what sounds you can hear… engaging your senses as much as you can will really help you derive even greater meaning from your time spent outside.
