According to Mind, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week in England. Research also shows that 1 in 4 people in England will experience a mental health condition of some kind each year.
The reasons for this level of mental ill-health are many and varied. But whatever the cause, one thing is certain. Many of us, or someone we live with, will experience some kind of mental health condition in our lifetimes.
Nature-based activities and outdoor experiences have long been linked to improvements in mental health. A connection with nature, time spent outdoors, activities like walking and cycling and choosing to disconnect from technology have all been shown to help improve mental wellbeing.
In this post we'll look at some of the benefits that staying in a woodland lodge, surrounded by nature, can offer. Experiencing the great outdoors is far more than an opportunity to top-up your Instagram. A woodland escape can help you restore balance, find peace and improve your wellbeing.
1. The Therapeutic Power of Nature
Spending time outdoors, in green space, or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental wellbeing. Exercising outdoors or being around animals can have lots of positive effects. Nature-based activities like gardening have also been shown to improve mental health.
Being surrounded by trees, or finding yourself at the top of a hill enjoying a wonderful view, can lower levels of stress hormones. A study published in 2019 found that spending 20 or 30 minutes surrounded by nature led to a substantial drop in cortisol. This can help improve mood, enhance focus and increase creativity.
For centuries the Japanese have understood the benefits of spending time in woodland. 'Forest bathing' can help boost mood, reduce blood pressure and aid sleep. It's considered a preventitive medicine, rather than a treatment, and one of many ways to naturally support your immune system.
Our woodland lodges are set in 95 acres of mature woodland. Guests have plenty of opportunity to spend time immersed in this beautiful, natural environment. Reconnect with nature at Ladycross.
2. Escape from the Daily Grind
For most of us, our daily lives are hectic. We've got work, family responsibilities and busy lives which contribute to stress. Left un-checked this can lead to burnout - a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.
Making time to take a break away from the pressures of daily life can provide a value reset. An opportunity to switch off, relax and unwind. This can help us re-evaluate our priorities, and perhaps give us the perspective we need to make positive healthy changes.
Staying in a woodland lodge offers an ideal setting for an escape. Peace, quiet, and time to reflect, either alone or with others.
Another way to help slow down is to undertake a 'digital detox'. It's much easier to digitally-detox when on holiday, where there are fewer demands and appointments to keep. Use your time in nature to form a healthier connection with your phone - turn it off for a day or two!
3. Deepening Connection with Yourself and Loved Ones
Some of recharge best alone. Time in solitude offers an opportunity to reflect, practice some form of minfulness, meditation or relaxation. Even for the extroverts, who thrive in the company of others, spending time alone can help us get back on an even keel. True peace and quiet is something we rarely achieve in our everyday lives.
Spending quality time with family or friends in nature is a fantastic way to re-connect. Our busy lives often lead to strained relationships. Why not book some time away together, enjoying a woodland lodge which can provide for both solitude and shared experiences?
Acitivties which can be enjoyed together can help deepen personal relationships. Reading together, listening to your favourite music, sketching or journalling - take your pick. Making time for each other and experiencing nature together is what counts.
4. Promoting Physical Activity and Restful Sleep
Take a walk along the Cleveland Way, or enjoy a bike ride around Dalby Forest together. Enjoy one of the wonderful cafes in Whitby, or stroll down the pier enjoying a bag of chips. Regular physical activity is known to help combat depression and anxiety.
And after you've enjoyed all that wonderful fresh air, you'll be want to prioritise a good night's sleep. A natural, quiet environment with little light polution and reduced noise can help promote better sleep.
A healthy balance of activity and relaxation is important. It's easy to over do it when staying in North Yorkshire. There's so much to enjoy on our doorstep. But it's important to schedule time to just relax. Head up onto the moors and take a picnic. Or get down to Sandsend beach and spend some time fossil hunting before enjoy a coffee from Tides Cafe. Or just chill.
5. Immersive Experience in Nature
Being in the woods is a truly immersive experience. The beauty of a woodland setting, a tranquil forest, a flowing stream, birds singing can all evoke a sense of awe and wonder. Our busy lives mean we often miss the beauty which is all around us. Staying in a lodge with panoramic views of the surrounding woodland is a fantastic way to rekindle this connection.
The serene atmosphere of a woodland lodge can help calm the mind, clear mental clutter, and encourage a sense of balance and peace. For those who live in cities, where the thrum of traffic and background noise is constant, the woods offers an amazing contrast. The wind through the tree tops. Birds singing. Silence.
Our lodges, with their warm wooden interiors, further contribute to creating a restful environment. Guests can curl up on the sofa, enjoying the log burner, or sit out on the deck, surrounded by trees. With well-equipped kitchens and flexible open plan living space, you've all you need to enjoy a relaxing and restful holiday in the woods.
6. Why Choose a Woodland Lodge for Your Next Getaway?
Staying in a woodland lodge can improve mental health by offering peace, immersion in nature, opportunities for physical activity, and quality time with friends and family.
Woodland lodges are the ideal type of accommodation for this type of getaway. Our lodges are positioned to promote privacy, so noise from others guests is kept to a minimum. The 'freedom field' and 2 miles of nature trails around the park also provide opportunities to connect with nature, within easy reach of your lodge.
If you're looking to get away from the busyness of life, to rest and relax in nature, check out our rental lodges. Perfect for couples and families, they're the ideal place to unwind. Enjoy spacious, open plan living with luxurious bathrooms, well-equipped kitchens and comfortable bedrooms.
For those of you who love North Yorkshire and want to be able to visit regularly, have you considered owning a woodland lodge? Find out more about our lodge development plan, or view our lodges for sale.
Look after your mental health and wellbeing. Experience the restorative power of nature. Enjoy a few days at Ladycross, surrounded by woodland and within a stone's throw of the North York Moors and Yorkshire coast. It'll do you the world of good!
