Purchasing mental health outdoors

It’s far too simplistic to link lack of exercise or the “good outdoor life” with mental health problems. But there is some connection. 

Exercise gives a “high”, produced by the rush of neurochemical endorphins in the brain. And the exercise and fresh air may well lead to maintaining a healthy weight. You wouldn’t have to go much further than this weekend’s London Marathon and short-course swimming championships in Manchester to witness this!

But there is more to the “outdoor” business than pure exercise. I was interested to read in Body and Soul that a guy in Manhatten is conducting his therapy sessions in the local park. He has developed a good internal clock that registers the end of 50 minutes, and he and the client lapse into silence if they pass other folk. There is the opportunity to sit for a moment if the client is upset, and generally speaking, the weather is not a problem.

I have often wanted to leave the counselling room and walk with the child through the grounds while we talk. I haven’t, and I do greatly value all the psychodynamic things about the four walls and consistency. Nevertheless, I think this “outdoor” inkling has little to do with me escaping the client and much more to do with the possible benefit of feeling the wind, the reality of life, and the greater picture, whilst looking at the smaller picture the client is presenting. Getting a perspective, so to speak. Throwing off the man-made surroundings for a brief moment.

It links with my general feeling that a great number of young people would gain emotional health from getting into the countryside (river, sea, whatever) and testing themselves against the elements. Not necessarily walking to the north pole as one teenager just did with her dad (though good on him for suggesting it, I say!) but something on a smaller scale.

Some clients would grow psychologically if allowed to camp in a small tent for a weekend – plan the equipment, choose and buy food, cook it themselves, throw in a cave and hill adventure… I have often been faced with a client who would be changed positively by arguing with a dingy and a strong wind for a few hours. 

Off the top of my head, they would gain in:

competency
satisfaction
self-nurture
independence and interdependence
knowledge
lowered stress levels
lowered need for external approval
social skills.

School trips used to supply this but are often too cosy these days. And a therapist among the leaders would be an essential component. There will still be a need for talking through specific troubling/traumatic events. It’s a balancing act.

So my point is: We need to be more rounded and holistic in our thinking about what might restore mental health in a scenario of “talking plus”. It then becomes something other than counselling, but let’s not be precious. It’s the young people’s mental health we’re interested in and passionate about.