#11 - When connection is a step away
aka how exercising in nature fosters feelings of connectedness with the world around us
Spotlight
In our previous edition, we talked about why preparing for the worst might not always be the best solution. Today, we discuss how exercising in nature can make us feel more connected to others and the world around us.
The heroes we deserves - and the ones we need
There’s a small neighborhood park where I go for most of my runs - it’s a speck of green close enough to my house to make it handy, far enough to feel like a change of scenery.
I’m a creature of habit - especially when my mind is bent like a pretzel, and keeps going over and over every little problem I’ve got, in a short-circuit that somehow spits out semi-working solutions. Those are the days when I need to follow in my well-known steps, surrounded by trees I recognize, making that “pstpstpst” sound in the direction of the painfully aloof local cats.
Those are the days when I find comfort in the people.
A guy in his 60s, with a fluffy black and white dog. They sit under a tree, taking it all in, for about 10-15 minutes. Then they start playing catch in the open field. A ball, sometimes a frisbee.
The big group of dog owners who meet religiously every morning, in their pjs, going around in circles and catching up whilst the dogs run around after one another. They walk in a sort of disorganized formation, but with presence in their steps.
Like retired Avengers.
There’s a couple of other runners, too. We always do that weird nod, kinda acknowledging one another, giving each other mental high-fives for showing up yet another day.
There’s an old woman with two of those little angry dogs, the ones who look like they’re on a quest to find their nemesis from the moment they are born. She almost made me fall flat on my face once because the leash was spanning the entire width of the road.
We are like characters in a story, unfolding before our eyes - mind you, probably not the most exciting story.
But it’s ours.
If something were to happen to us, we’d all unite against whatever evil we’re presented with, a colorful ensemble of pjs, sportswear and fluffy fur, water bottles and dog leashes yielded against the enemies with courage (I got carried away, didn’t I?).
We never spoke, but it feels as though we know each other.
There is a thread, a connection. A sense of familiarity.
It’s the closest I’ve ever felt to a sense of community in a place such as London, where you are often invisible, sort of part of the wallpaper (which is its strength as much as is its weakness).
Connection may be closer than we think
It’s no surprise that natural spots tend to be associated with pleasant feelings, such as relaxation and restoration. Afterall, spending time in nature has a positive effect on mental and physical health, as well as cognition.
It also makes you feel more connected to others - and if you exercise in natural environments, your sense of connection to your surroundings increases.
So next time you see the sun shining, find your speck of green and watch your story unfold - I’ve got no doubt it will be more interesting than mine. And who knows, you might actually find all your troubles feel a little lighter when you’re not facing them alone.
In the news
Struggling to find your exercise mojo? Your guts may be to blame. A study from the NIH found that mice with a healthier gut microbiome tended to have higher motivation to exercise. Time to take care of those bacteria!
We know exercise can be a powerful ally against the blues - but until now, it wasn’t clear why. Researchers from UCL put forward a new theory: regular exercise, especially aerobic activities, decreases inflammation and boosts happy molecules like dopamine, which in turn increase motivation to move and exercise.
Everything starts with the body - you may have heard me say that before. Now the data is in: taking care of our bodies is crucial for our mental health. A new study, published in Nature Mental Health, found that depressive symptoms were associated with poorer organ health in a cohort of over 18,000 people.
Gem of the week (and why you should care)
Want to know what the best way to take care of your brain is? Turns our the answer is High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)!
A new study published in the journal Aging and Disease found that older adults who included HIIT regimes in their routines for 6 months saw improvements in their brain health (and specifically learning) for up to 5 years after.
So why not try some HIIT? Your older self will thank you!
That’s all, folks.
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Thanks for reading this edition and see you next week!
Sonia Ponzo
CEO and Founder at Outset Wellness