The Power of Outdoor Spaces
By David Dominy, CEO at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society (www.royalalfredseafarers.co.uk)
When we think about what keeps us healthy and happy, we don’t always give outdoor spaces the credit they deserve. But there’s growing evidence that spending time outside has a huge impact on our physical and mental health, especially for older people who might find themselves indoors more often.
Research shows that interaction with nature can deliver benefits for people experiencing depression and/or sudden mood changes.
A walk in natural surroundings lift your mood, cuts stress, and gives you back that sense of purpose. If you’re struggling with depression or sudden mood swings, time outdoors provides real benefits alongside other treatments.
The magic number seems to be 120-150 minutes a week in natural settings – that’s when you see the best results for physical and mental health. We’re not talking about just glancing at trees through a window, but getting outside to breathe fresh air, feel the sun, and connect with nature.
For older adults, anything that encourages independence, wellbeing, and staying connected with others holds immediate value. Outdoor activities are brilliant for all three, which is why they can be such an essential element for the lives of residents.
Supporting independence through outdoor environments
At The Royal Alfred’s nursing home, Belvedere House, we’re lucky to be nestled in 14 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside.
This means our staff and residents can get outside every day and experience what nature does for you. Many of our residents have health issues that come with age, so outdoor time often means gentle walks or wheelchair trips to our Northfield Pond. There, residents love watching birds with family or carers, or just enjoying the seasonal flowers and changing scenery.
Again, this is encouraging an independent way of life – but also having a positive effect on cognitive health. It’s been shown that nature walks, birdwatching and gardening can all help with memory, concentration and keeping the brain active, while also keeping the body moving.
The independence of getting out and about matters enormously for older adults to live fulfilling lives. It means them making their own choices about daily activities, staying in control, and remaining engaged with the community. For families looking at care options, it’s crucial that they ask how each service supports their loved one’s ability to manage tasks independently or with just a little help. And having access to outdoor space can be central to this.
Building friendships and belonging
There’s another side to outdoor activities that’s crucial for improving the lives of residents: the sense of community.
Communal spaces like lounges and dining areas naturally bring people together, but outdoor environments offer something special – shared experiences in fresh air and natural light. Just think of outdoor group activities like arts and crafts, gardening and exercise classes.
At Royal Alfred, we focus on these social connections by planning outdoor activities that bring people together. Garden parties create chances for residents to bond over shared interests while enjoying being outside. These activities often start conversations and friendships that carry on long after the organised sessions end.
Many of our residents have maritime backgrounds, which creates a natural love for outdoor spaces. Having spent careers on the open seas, many find comfort in environments that remind them of the wide-open spaces and fresh air they knew at work. This connection adds even deeper meaning and helps residents feel more at home.
Improving physical wellbeing through outdoor activities
Regular physical activity remains vital for health at any age, including people in their 80s and 90s. Doctors increasingly recommend outdoor activity more often to their oldest patients, understanding its wide-ranging benefits.
Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that regular access to outdoor environments can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms while improving overall wellbeing in older adults. A 2020 study of people with knee arthritis found that walking regularly for up to 30 minutes helps protect joints and strengthen muscles – benefits that last well beyond the exercise itself.
These findings match what we see every day at Belvedere House. Residents who join outdoor activities often show improved mood, better sleep, and increased social engagement. The combination of physical movement, fresh air, and natural surroundings creates a powerful therapeutic environment that supports health in multiple ways.
Outdoor initiatives at Royal Alfred
Building more activity and movement into care routines can help reverse some medical conditions, restore physical ability, address mental health concerns, and increase overall wellbeing. At Belvedere House, our care staff constantly support residents with varying mobility levels, offering chair-based exercises, walking groups and gentle stretching routines that work well in outdoor settings.
Maintaining physical health is vital for day-to-day independence in care homes. By offering varied exercise options and a supportive environment, it helps residents stay active, engaged and as independent as possible.
Nature’s healing power
Of course, not all care homes have extensive outdoor space, particularly those in cities, but you can find natural beauty throughout the UK. Even local parks can provide significant benefits when thoughtfully included in care routines.
We recognise this is as a crucial element in our care. The evidence supporting outdoor activities continues to grow, backing up what many of us instinctively know about nature’s healing power.
Taking time to reflect and look after our emotional and physical wellbeing remains important at every stage of life. Embracing the power of the natural world offers one of the most accessible and effective ways to support health, happiness, and human connection – benefits that prove invaluable in care settings and beyond.
