Make the most of your natural health service
It’s official: Getting out into the natural world is good fun and great for our health
This May half term (23 – 31 May) sees the launch of the first ever Devon Naturally Healthy Week to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the vast range of outdoor opportunities the county has to offer.
Co-ordinated by Devon’s Local Nature Partnership – an umbrella body which brings together everyone with an interest in securing the benefits of our natural environment, activity ideas range from bird watching to sea kayaking; and locations from the local park or urban canal side, to Devon’s many beaches, lakes or rivers.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, is taking part in a Walking for Health walk on Exmoor, to mark the week.
“Just being outside can have huge health benefits for people, giving them a sense of space, the chance to breathe fresh air, and the exercise benefits it brings.”
“Living in Devon gives us all plenty of opportunities to make the most of our natural health service. But even if you don’t live in a rural location, it doesn’t mean you can’t easily enjoy outside space. Taking a walk in a nearby park or alongside a canal, playing a game of five a side, or even simply walking to work or school, all provide health benefits.
Anyone looking for inspiration to get Naturally Healthy outdoors can get some ideas from the website.
The National Trust has a fun packed list of free activities for all ages to try. Woodland Trust ‘Nature Detectives’ has info on 150 activities for the spring and summer holidays, and for runners and walkers there are options such as the Couch to 5k app, or join other at a park run, or organised Walking for health walk.
For those who want to make a difference to others as well as to their own health, there are opportunities to volunteer outdoors, look after wildlife and get fit at the same time, with organisations such as the Conservation Volunteers’ Green Gyms, RSPB, Devon Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and Teignbridge Conservation Volunteers.
Some of the many places to go include Teignbridge District Council Country Parks, Nature Reserves and other green spaces, East Devon District Council Countryside Sites, Exeter City Council Valley Parks, Exe Estuary Trail, Tarka Trail, Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park, and Devon’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the county.
Special events to mark the week include week-long festivities at Torbay’s Geopark, a programme of activities at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary; wildlife walks, junk modelling and badge making in local parks; and a host of sports including tennis.
Libraries and other venues across Devon will be displaying posters to encourage people to make the most of their natural health service through a range of images.
Dr Virginia Pearson, Devon’s Director of Public Health and member of the Local Nature Partnership Board said:
“This week-long event is recognition of our diverse and wonderful surroundings, here in Devon, and benefits of getting outdoors.
“Not everyone wants or is able to go for a run or an energetic bike ride; but simply playing with your children in the park, rockpooling on the beach or taking an invigorating rain-soaked walk along a river can give us a different perspective, boost our mental health, and get us away from our sofas and screens for a while, having a positive impact on our health and wellbeing.”
For further details on events to mark the week, visit the website.
