In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to forget the simple joys that come from being in nature. Whether it's the fresh air, the serene quiet, or the beautiful scenery, spending time outdoors has numerous benefits for our mental and physical well-being. At Greenways Forest School, we're all about embracing the great outdoors, from our Saturday morning forest school sessions to our holiday camps. In this blog post, we've curated 25 inspiring quotes that remind us why being outdoors is not just a pastime but a necessity.
25 Inspiring Quotes About the Great Outdoors
1. "At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint, or even remember it. It is enough.” – Toni Morrison
2. "Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” – Edward Abbey
3. "Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
4. "The antidote to exhaustion isn’t rest. It’s nature.” – Shikoba
5. "Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir
6. "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” – Ashley Smith
7. "Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
8. "In all things of nature there is something of the marvellous.” – Aristotle
9. "Hiking’s not for everyone. Notice the wilderness is mostly empty.” – Sonja Yoerg
10. "All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
11. "Hiking and happiness go hand in hand or foot in boot.” – Diane Spicer
12. "After a day’s walk, everything has twice its usual value.” – G.M. Trevelyan
13. "Hiking is not escapism; it’s realism. The people who choose to spend time outdoors are not running away from anything; we are returning to where we belong.” – Jennifer Pharr Davis
14. "Days of slow walking are very long: they make you live longer, because you have allowed every hour, every minute, every second to breathe, to deepen, instead of filling them up by straining the joints.” – Frederic Gros
15. "Walking is a man’s best medicine.” – Hippocrates
16. "We don’t stop hiking because we grow old. We grow old because we stop hiking.” – Finis Mitchell
17. "In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
18. "Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” – Isaac Newton
19. "Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilisation.” – Charles Lindbergh
20. "There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” – Linda Hogan
21. "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” – Anne Frank
22. "Colours are the smiles of nature.” – Leigh Hunt
23. "The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.” – Unknown
24. "If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder
25. "The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.” – Nancy Newhall
Why Being Outdoors Matters
Mental Health Benefits
One of the most immediate benefits of spending time outdoors is the positive impact it has on mental health. As many of the quotes above suggest, nature serves as a natural antidote to stress, anxiety, and depression. The tranquility of the natural world offers a perfect backdrop for mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation.
Physical Health Gains
From hiking and swimming to simply taking a walk in the park, outdoor activities provide excellent physical exercise. They not only help in burning calories but also in building strength and boosting endurance. As Hippocrates wisely said, "Walking is a man's best medicine."
Community and Connection
Being outdoors often involves communal activities, whether it's a family camping trip or a community clean-up event. These activities foster a sense of community and provide an opportunity for social interaction, which is vital for emotional well-being.
We hope these quotes inspire you to step outside and appreciate the beauty and benefits of the natural world. Whether you're an avid hiker or someone who simply enjoys the occasional walk in the park, the great outdoors has something to offer for everyone. So go ahead, take a break from your busy life, and reconnect with nature. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you for it.