Maria Clarke - Dorset LNP Manager

Being active is so important for everyone's health and wellbeing and especially if you live with a health condition. There are so many ways to be physically active and for me some of the best ways are through spending time in nature.

Living in Dorset we are blessed with many opportunities to be active outside – from a walk, ride or cycle in the countryside; a wander along a river, coast path, or the beach; a visit to a local park or nature reserve; or spending time gardening at home. Most people have access to some form of natural space to be active in some way in either on your own or with family and friends. It's largely free and a lot of the time might not feel like physical activity because you can do something simple like a walk or build up to something a bit more demanding like some conservation volunteering. Not only can it help you be physically active, it can reduce your blood pressure, boost your mood, and increase your vitamin D levels.

A number of studies show that exercising outdoors is more beneficial than at a gym. One study showed that those exercising outdoors do so for 30mins more than those at a gym. This may be down to the variety of experiences that getting outdoors gives, such as the seasons and weather. This may help you to repeat the activity so that it becomes a habit because it's always a little bit different, even if it's in the same outdoor space. Natural Choices If you're not sure where to start there are many nature-based activities or events which you can attend or join, to support your wellbeing.

The Natural Choices programme (www.dorsetlnp.org.uk/natural-choices) brings many of these together, to make it easier for you to find out what's on. There are over 60 activities across Dorset including health walks, nature walks, gardening, outdoor mindfulness, gardening, Nordic Walking, practical conservation volunteering (e.g. hedge laying) and during the summer Park Yoga. Some activities are more physically demanding than others, but you can try different activities out to see what suits you and then maybe move onto something else as you get fitter. The activities are a great way to meet other people and social connection is great in supporting our wellbeing.

Natural Choices activities are run by organisations including Livability Holton Lee, National Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, RSPB, EuCAN, Bournemouth Parks, Country Parks including Durlston, Moors Valley, Avon Health and Upton and many of the Walking for Health groups across the county.

If you want to find out about Natural Choices activities near you search the Activity Finder (www.livewelldorset.co.uk/find-activities-and-classes-near-you) and look for the Natural Choices logo and then contact the providers. You can also be signposted to the activities by the LiveWell Dorset Wellness Coaches if you'd like some support or by health and social care professionals such as GPs, Steps to Wellbeing or Carers Support Teams.

So why not try an activity, or just get outdoors and be active by nature!

Maria Clarke - Dorset LNP Manager