Let's talk about the 'Great Outdoors' and how it can improve our health...

Have you ever experienced how fresh air, natural light, and being around trees, gardens, or open sky can make movement feel a little easier? Or how it can improve your mood, and help you destress?

Getting outside is not just a nice change of scenery. Whether you’re an ‘outdoors’ person or not, time in nature can support stress reduction, mood, physical recovery, and overall well-being — even when it starts with something as simple as sitting near a sunny window or taking a short walk outdoors. Evidence has even shown that recovery from surgery and hospital stays can be shortened simply by having access to more natural daylight and a view of trees!

The takeaway is simple: our surroundings can play a meaningful role in how we feel, move, and recover.

Make Nature Part of Your Movement

Oudoor activity can take so many different forms but the ultimate goal is to find safe and enjoyable ways to combine movement with fresh air, daylight, and natural surroundings…then enjoy the benefits!  Here's some ideas:

• Take your walking program outside. A quiet sidewalk, garden path, or local park can make a regular walk feel more enjoyable.
• Do your home exercises on the patio or deck. Your exercises stay the same—the environment changes.
• Garden in manageable doses. Gardening can involve reaching, bending, walking, carrying, and strengthening. Raised beds or containers can make it more accessible.
• Walk with a friend or family member. This combines movement, nature, and social connection.
• Use a sturdy park bench. With your physiotherapist's guidance, a bench may be useful for sit-to-stands, heel raises, modified planks & push ups, supported balance exercises, or rest breaks.
• Take a nature break. Spend 10–20 minutes outside reading, stretching, having a cup of tea, or simply enjoying your surroundings while taking some deep breaths.

Research involving nearly 20,000 adults found that people who spent about two hours or more in nature each week were more likely to report good health and well-being. Importantly, those two hours could be accumulated through several shorter bouts.

That means little moments count.

If You Can't Get Outside

Weather, mobility limitations, illness, poor air quality, or fall risk may sometimes make outdoor activity impractical. But don’t let that stop you from bringing some of the outdoors into your daily life.  Try these:

• Open curtains and blinds during the day.
• Sit where you can see trees, gardens, or the sky.
• Perform exercises near a bright window.
• Add plants or other natural elements to rooms where you spend the most time.
• Sit beside an open window or doorway when conditions are comfortable and safe.
• Visit an accessible garden centre, greenhouse, conservatory, or covered outdoor space.

If you or someone you love spend most of your time sitting indoors, positioning your chair next to your window could matter more than you realize!

Your Outdoor Challenge

Choose one small way to add more nature to your routine. Try it two or three times this week, and notice how your body, energy, or mood responds.

It might be a short walk after lunch, exercises on the patio, watering a few plants, or moving your favourite chair closer to a window with natural light. Start with what feels realistic and enjoyable.

When it comes to movement, consistency is key. Small, regular doses of fresh air, natural light, and gentle activity can add up in meaningful ways.

If pain, balance, mobility, or health concerns make outdoor activity difficult, your Therapist can help you find safe ways to incorporate nature and outdoor movement into your rehabilitation.

Get an individualized assessment & treatment plan with one of our amazing Therapists TODAY, so we can help you improve your mobility, strength, balance, and confidence — all from the comfort of your home.

Our PhysioCare at Home team can help.

Book an Appointment with us today!

p.s. If you're inspired to bring more movement into your week, our Stronger at Home video series membership can help you stay consistent with guided, accessible exercises you can do from the comfort of home.

To Your Health, 

Jillian

Physiotherapist & Clinical Director