Why Exploring Nature is Important For My Wellness| AD
-paid collaboration with FitFlop-
My love for getting outside is well documented on this little corner of the internet as it’s such a big part of my life. It’s a running joke in our household that I’m just like our dogs Josie and Edie as much like them I have to get outside every day to feel better mentally as well as physically. When it comes to getting outside in the colder months I have to confess the urge to explore drops a little for me as it’s cold, more than likely raining and it’s not as appealing as it is in spring and summer when you can bask in the warmth of the sun and appreciate everything coming into bloom. But, there is a different kind of beauty to embrace when it comes to A/W and I think it’s even more important to make sure you’re still getting outside and seeing somewhere new, you’ve just got to be well prepared.
dressing for a/w
Practical shoes for walking
Arguably one of the most important things when it comes to getting outside in the colder months is your footwear of choice. Because there is absolutely nothing worse than having soggy and more than likely ice-cold feet by the time you’ve finished walking. For me, in the woods, my go-to footwear of choice is a good pair of wellies and lately, I’ve been wearing the newly launched WonderWelly from Fitflop. These have to be the most comfortable wellies I’ve ever worn, the rubber is soft and flexible but they’re incredibly supportive which is integral when walking in the woods as often the ground is uneven. And whilst women’s wellies might not seem like the most stylish option, the sleek black wellies design goes with absolutely everything else in my wardrobe. Not only are they perfect to wear when walking but taking them off isn’t a muddy wrestling match whilst precariously balancing on one foot.
Warm outfits for winter walks
For far too long I dressed completely inappropriately for the weather because I felt like bundling up meant I had
● A water and windproof coat with a hood and preferably multiple pockets.
● Chunky scarf.
● A soft and comfortable jumper.
● Touch screen gloves.
● A good pair of leggings, I find them much easier than jeans to tuck inside boots.
the joy of going for a walk
I so wish I could go back to teenage Rebecca and tell her to stop playing The Sims and make the most of the walks that her parents would take her on. Isn’t it funny that the things you hate when you’re a teenager are now the things that you end up loving when you’re an adult? A few years ago I started to notice a real difference in my overall wellness when I was out walking with my family dog or when my boyfriend and I would go to a National Trust property for the day, the difference in my mood was quite astounding. At the time I wasn’t in the position to have a dog of my own but as soon as I moved out I knew it was the right time to get myself a four-legged companion and that was the real push I needed to make sure I was actively getting out and exploring. Of course, you don’t need to have a hound in tow to get out and explore it’s a lovely thing to do with your family or your partner. And at this time of year, it’s the perfect opportunity to take your camera and capture the colours of the season as they're spectacular.
My Favourite Places to Explore
I live in the North Nottinghamshire countryside so there is an abundance of walking routes right on my doorstep and I feel so fortunate to have so many walking routes near me. Over the years there have been spots that we’ve come back to time and time again and they are;
●Clumber Park: A National Trust property that is always worth a visit. There are so many walks in the woodland surrounding the beautiful lake so there is so much choice of what to do. One of our favourite spots is right on the outskirts of the forest and of course, the popular walk around the lake.
● Sherwood Forest: This is one of the forests we walk the most in as it spans over such a large amount of Nottinghamshire. There’s so much to do at Sherwood Pines now too, you can either go for a walk around the woodland trails, rent a bike to cycle around the forest or have a go at Go Ape.
● Padley Gorge: There are a plethora of places to go in the Peak District but this is one of my favourites by far. It’s a walk that has absolutely everything you could need from a beautiful fairytale-like gorge, woodland, moorland and it’s a just a stones throw to Surprise View.
● Ladybower Reservoir: Walks around reservoirs and lakes are some of my favourites as it’s so different from what I’m used to. Ladybower is another hot spot in the Peak District and for good reason. They also have an excellent cafe with wonderful vegetarian options!
