Society likes to divide the personalities of individuals into different categories: cats or dogs, early bird or night owl, Remain or Leave. It is an easy method of working out the type of person an individual is and whether we have things in common with them. One of the more common categories is introvert or extrovert. Particularly at university, it is a defining feature of one’s university time, especially the social life. Personally, I never saw myself boxed into one of those groups. I enjoy the company of others but also love to spend time by myself.
Yet we have all become introverts now. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that individuals are forced to spend more time indoors. Time that might perhaps be spent at work or on a daily commute is now occupied indoors. While the amount of daily exercise an individual does is unlimited, there are severe restrictions on our movement. National Trust properties, which are beacons of green space, have closed for the foreseeable future. For a total appreciation of the great outdoors, this is extremely worrying. And yet part of me has never appreciated nature more. I began my first attempts at jogging last summer. Previously, I had been extremely dismissive of the jogging craze. But as my A-level exams had finished, there was more time on my hands. I thought it may as well be used to some personal benefit. The experience was - and remains - extremely tricky. I often feel deeply tired, out of breath, with many parts of my body hurting. The experience, however much of an endurance, has remained a constant. With my jogging trainers, I have never felt totally deterred from jogging. Though, in my first term at university, getting into the swing of living alone became more of a priority, jogging always remained in the back of my mind. Why? Because it was one of the occasions where I felt truly free. Even when it is simply jogging around my local area, viewing road after road, the movement, sense of relaxation and being at peace with the world is second to none. This thankfully continued in 2020. One of my aims had been to try and jog three times a week. I’m pleased to say this target was met. Even when I had to leave the library earlier to ensure I jogged in daylight, the process was a brilliant way to explore the natural world around my accommodation. From the beautiful Claycroft back field to the peaceful Tocil Lake, jogging showed me both the brilliance of improving my fitness while also exploring the great outdoors. This is even more valued during lockdown. We all spend the vast majority of time at home. Any time outdoors has never been more necessary. Often, it is by jogging outdoors that I have been able to spend some time alone. I love my family dearly, but it is perfectly natural to desire time apart. When I’m jogging, my focus is purely on the world around me. From the sounds of cars to fellow joggers, enjoying birdsong to tackling a sharp street corner, it is the natural world, my trainers and me. No podcasts, no music. However noisy the world may be, jogging provides calm and clarity. It is unsurprising therefore that the outdoors can improve one’s mental health. I’ve noticed this whether or not I’ve been exercising. I’m lucky enough to have access both to a garden and a large park nearby. When walking around the park, there has been something lovely about seeing other families. Even though social distancing measures are adhered to, it’s brilliant to see other people enjoying the natural world and spending time with others. Indeed, walking in parks has given me time to communicate with my family that might not have otherwise existed. One of the more pleasing announcements over the last few weeks has been the opportunity to spend a greater amount of time with individuals who aren’t part of one's family. I had taken this opportunity by meeting up with an old friend to explore our city one Saturday morning. The centre itself was extremely quiet, but offered a brilliant opportunity for discussion. We explored both green spaces and the urban centre; by the time I returned home, I felt so much better. Given I had been feeling slightly downbeat beforehand, I have no doubt that both talking to my friend and appreciating the environment improvement my spirits. Mental health - good or poor - is an intrinsic part of being human. Just as we have a varied physical health, our mental health fluctuates throughout life. There is nothing wrong with this. Mental health problems will continue to exist before and after the coronavirus pandemic. The challenge is knowing how to deal with these strategies. I believe part of the solution will always involve talking to others and appreciating our fellow humans. If there is one thing I am looking forward to after coronavirus, it is the novelty of meeting a friend in a cafe to put the world to rights. But any improvement in mental health can also involve the natural world. Whether it’s attempting to keep fit, walking in a park or meeting with others, this most beautiful green spaces can be part of feeling better. The natural and social world then perfectly weave together to compliment one another for a more fulfilling life.
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