August is National Wellness Month — a reminder to pause, take care of ourselves, and make space for what truly matters. For us, the outdoors is one of the most powerful tools for wellbeing: a brisk daily walk, a weekend adventure, or simply lying back to watch the clouds.
To mark the month, we asked a few of our inspiring friends to share how nature supports their own sense of wellness. In their words, you’ll find not just stories of what they do, but how they live, move, and look after themselves.
Here’s what they had to say.
Leanne Wrightson - Mountain & Expedition Leader & Bike Guide
"As I grow older and adventure further, I endeavour to slow down enough to appreciate my surroundings and what it provides. I have a love for solo adventure but there’s never been a journey that I've felt alone. I feel nurtured by nature, safe in my surroundings and comforted by the wild, remote places I explore.
I adore Scotland’s rugged beauty and wilderness, I have a deep respect for the reciprocal relationship between myself and the environment, it's given me so much over the years. My bustling thoughts and endless chores are replaced with calm, clear thoughts allowing me to savour the moments of peace and tranquility that help me reset. Every outing, adventure or meander has had a positive effect on my wellness regardless of the challenge, weather or distance."
Aoife Glass - Writer, Presenter and Podcaster
"My mind is a busy and sometimes chaotic place, and I often feel overwhelmed by my whirling thoughts. But when I go outside, when I ride through the trees or swim in the water, the sensations help bring my focus out of myself and into the here and now. My thoughts turn outwards, into observing and experiencing what’s around me.
I love to smell the scents in the air, feel the breeze on my skin or the warmth of the sunshine, listen to the wind through the leaves or the lapping of waves on the shore. The phrase ‘feeling grounded’ is often used for this experience, but for me, I prefer nature bathing or immersion, because that’s what it feels like - sinking into a calming ocean of sights and scents and sensations. The positive effect it has on my mental health is beyond doubt, and I always return feeling refreshed, and often bursting with new thoughts and ideas, no matter how long or short, near or far I’ve gone."
Jo Moseley - Speaker, Author & Creator
“Being in the fresh air - either on the hills, the beach or my paddleboard - or spending time in the sea, the lakes or my van Summer, the outdoors brings me so much in this chapter of my life. It has helped me through grief, loss, empty nesting and the menopause in my 50s. Now in my 60s and starting a new chapter by the coast writing, creating and looking after my 92 year old Dad, a dip, hike or beach clean gives me the chance to breathe deeply, find joy and make friends. Whatever I’m doing I feel stronger, happier, healthier and more positive about the future and ageing well.”
Jenny Isherwood - Director, FAB Adventures, Director of Adventure and Character Education, The Edinburgh Academy
“What does it take to be a well human being! For me it is about connections to people, place and a purpose. Each of these elements often have the natural world in common. The Cadence of walking or biking induces long conversations and observations, almost like nature is nudging me! I recently started sketching as a way of connecting to place in a different way. This has definitely enhanced my relationship with the outdoors as I am seeing shapes, colours and textures in a way I had never noticed before! So much of my job is about helping people to build a toolkit of skills so that they can have adventures and to explore the natural world. This purpose circles right back to where we started, what does it take to be a well human being, well nature is the common denominator!”
Elizabeth Joseph - Menopause Coach, Nutritional Therapist, Writer
"I have recently moved from the suburbs to the coast, and it appears it is everything I never knew I needed. I leave the house every morning at 6:30 and pad my way past the old fisherman’s cottages to the bay where I bob around in the sea for a bit and then wend my way back home .
Sounds romantic, doesn’t it? Exotic even but let me tell you I live in the northeast of England. The water is very, very cold. I have bad circulation and fear the sea - especially if I can’t see my feet. But something has changed within me (any Wicked fans?); something is not the same.
This morning ritual is a gift. I go to bed looking forward to it. Looking forward to my time. My peace. My connection with nature. My quiet. Something just for me. Then, I can step back into my ordinary. Until tomorrow."
Alice Thomson - Health & Lifestyle Coach
“A love note to wild swimming:
When I’m feeling low, or lonely or blue,
When life’s overwhelming I know what to do.
Yes, I know a thing that connects me to source,
That pauses my mind and keeps me on course.
I go to the sea, the lochs, rivers and ponds,
I jump in the cold and my problems are gone!
I share it with loved ones, I share it with friends,
I take a deep breath…and eat cake at the end!
Thank you cold water, I found you in lockdown and you’ve been my free therapy ever since!”
Wellness doesn’t always mean grand gestures. It’s in the small acts of connection — with nature, with ourselves, and with each other. However you move through this month, we hope you find a moment of stillness, strength, or joy outside.
And if you’re looking for more inspiration, keep an eye on our channels as we continue to share stories and ideas that support wellness in all its forms.
Sunday Inspiration
Favourite Book
One of our contributors, Jo Moseley, brings her love of paddleboarding to life in her second book, Paddleboarding in the Lake District. Written with warmth and honesty, it takes you onto the water with her - from gentle paddles on Grasmere to sunsets at Buttermere and the wild beauty of Wast Water - showing how adventure and wellbeing go hand in hand.
Favourite Quote
Favourite Song
Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
This is a perfect, soulful ode to the sea, to nature, and to the kind of quiet restoration we find when we step outside.
