Feel Good Friday – Get Outside

Every Friday we team up with the Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent to share things you can continue to do to take care of yourself and focus on your mental health.

This week’s Feel Good Friday is all about the great outdoors!

“Do you ever find yourself feeling calmer, more relaxed, or more focused after spending time in nature? That’s because time outside has proven benefits for your mental health! What you see, hear and experience in nature can improve your mood in a moment. Research shows a link between nature and stress reduction – it can boost endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes happiness! Enjoy this long weekend by getting outside and take in the mood-boosting effects!”

There’s your challenge for the next week.

How many times can you get outside?  Where will you go this weekend?  A new trail?  A new park?  A new adventure?

One of the things I have loved, that has helped me to stay a bit more positive, is taking in all the small things.  We love to go through Canatara or Wawanosh or Dow Wetlands and expect we will see something cool.  A log full of turtles.  A crane.  A racoon.  A skunk.  Deer running through a field.  I’ve stopped to admire the leaves, flowers.  Things I’ve never always noticed before.

I challenge you to get outside this weekend and take a picture and share it with me and let me know if it helped to improve your mood at all.

cbuchanan@blackburnradio.com 

If you are struggling with your mental health and need assistance, it is never too early to reach out for help. CMHA Lambton Kent’s Mental Health First Response team is available 24/7, every day of the week, including holidays:

◾️ Chatham Kent: 1-866-299-7447 ◾️ Sarnia Lambton: 1-800-307-4319

Categorised in: Afternoons Fridays

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan