Volunteer and get fit!
Rebecca Duncan from the Rivers Trust shares how volunteering outdoors is not only a great physical workout, it’s great for the mind – allowing you to tap into a sense of mindfulness and connect with nature as you work
It’s a welcome change to be reflecting on the theme of health and fitness in an October issue, away from the January New Year’s Resolutions hype or the summer discourse around beach bodies. In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards viewing health and fitness in a more positive, holistic context; one that focuses on living a healthy life rather than buying into people’s insecurities. This change in focus has also coincided with an increased awareness of the importance of spending time outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing.
Since you’re reading this column, you’ve already bought into the benefits of outdoor swimming for body and mind. But if you’re keen to improve your health and fitness beyond your regular swim routine, or just get involved with something different, volunteering with your local Rivers Trust could be just the ticket.
Activities such as tree planting, invasive species management, litter picking, or wildlife monitoring are a brilliant, if not extreme, workout. They’re also great for the mind, allowing you to tap into a sense of mindfulness and connect with nature as you work.
In July, I enjoyed joining the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust for a morning of volunteering along Timble Gill Beck and the River Washburn near Leeds. It felt fantastic to be out in the stunning Yorkshire countryside doing some good for rivers, but the physical benefits were also noticeable. After the fairly steep walk from the meeting point to the river site, and the balancing on the riverbed in my wellies, I arrived home feeling like I’d done a full strength and conditioning workout – except more fun and more social.
The whole experience was a welcome change from a normal day in the office, and left me in awe of the volunteers and staff from local Rivers Trusts who do this sort of work week in, week out.
Rebecca Duncan is the Media & Events Lead at The Rivers Trust, the umbrella body for the Rivers Trust network, providing support with fundraising, advocacy and knowledge-sharing. Explore their map of Member Trusts to find volunteering opportunities near you.