Health and wellbeing
Best walks for wellbeing and mindfulness
It's no secret anymore that walking is as important for our mental health as it is for our physical health. Walking helps with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and overall wellbeing, but often that first step – getting outside – can be the hardest barrier to overcome. To help you on your way, we've picked 40 of the best walks in the UK for wellbeing and mindfulness.
Walking in nature with Dr Amir Khan, President of the RSPB
Dr Amir Khan is passionate about the power of nature and the outdoors for improving our health – a key part of his new role as president of the RSPB. We met him at his home in Leeds in episode 11, season 15 of the Countryfile plodcast
Wellbeing books: the best nature titles to improve your mental and physical health
Research increasingly shows that we humans have become disconnected from the natural world around us – and it's not good for our health. But we can improve our mental and physical wellbeing by getting closer to wildlife and wild places. These six books are a fantastic place to start
Artist Emma Mitchell reveals the power of nature to inspire creativity and healing
Nature can help heal mind and body – and give us the creative energy in our work and hobbies as Emma Mitchell reveals in episode 12, season 1 of the BBC Countryfile Magazine podcast
C is for Collecting: mindfulness in nature
Collecting and gathering items from nature can transform an everyday walk into an opportunity to improve your physical and mental wellbeing
Podcast: Finding a healthy mind, heart and body in nature – with author Lucy Jones
Discover the science behind why being outside in nature is good for you with author Lucy Jones in episode 7 of season 6 of the BBC Countryfile Magazine plodcast
Creative ways to connect with nature
As the countryside fills with singing birds, blooming wildflowers and emerging insects, the urge to explore is strong – here is a selection of easy creative and nature-inspired ideas.
A to Z of mindfulness in nature
We look at the various ways that nature and the countryside can be used to help improve physical and mental wellbeing in our mindfulness guide.
H is for Hammock: mindfulness in nature
Sit back, relax and enjoy the world around you – time alone in a hammock beneath the trees can help you to be more present, in turn improving physical and mental wellbeing
Z is for Zen: mindfulness in nature
Tips for how to be mindful in nature, in turn improving physical and mental wellbeing
Y is for Yoga: mindfulness in nature
Tips for how to be mindful in nature, in turn improving physical and mental wellbeing
X is for Xmas: mindfulness in nature
Tips for how to be mindful in nature, in turn improving physical and mental wellbeing
W is for Wood: mindfulness in nature
How working with wood can help improve physical and mental wellbeing
V is for View: mindfulness in nature
How getting outside and exploring beautiful views can help improve physical and mental wellbeing
U is for Unwind: mindfulness in nature
How unwinding and relaxing outdoors can help improve physical and mental wellbeing
T is for Touch: mindfulness in nature
How touch can improve physical and mental wellbeing
S is for Swimming: mindfulness in nature
How swimming outdoors can improve physical and mental wellbeing
R is for Reading: mindfulness in nature
Reading outside can help improve physical and mental wellbeing
Q is for Quiet: mindfulness in nature
Being quiet in nature can help you be more present, in turn improving physical and mental wellbeing
J is for Journaling: mindfulness in nature
Taking time to record your experiences in nature is good for both body and mind
L is for Listening: mindfulness in nature
We explore how listening to nature can help you be more present
D is for Drawing: mindfulness in nature
Take some paper and a pen on your next trip into the countryside and sketch what you see - this simple act will encourage you to be more mindful.
E is for Exercise: mindfulness in nature
Regular exercise improves physical and mental wellbeing – we explore how
P is for Painting: mindfulness in nature
How painting in nature can help you be more present, in turn improving physical and mental wellbeing