Physical Activity Supporting Connection to Nature, and Helping to Maintain Wellbeing during the Covid-19 Restrictions in England

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions put in place to prevent or reduce the spread of the disease led to anxiety, concern and stress for many people. In England restrictions varied at different times of the year, and throughout this time there was a lot of attention focused on the importance of exercise and on engaging with nature to maintain wellbeing. We undertook an online survey that ran for six weeks in June/July 2020 and gained a response from 2115 people, of which 25% were male and 74% female, with 35% aged 16–44 and 65% aged 45+. This survey focused on people who were already interested or engaged with nature. We explored whether being physically activity changed or not, if being active impacted people’s wellbeing and whether those who were active benefited from connecting to nature. We found that those meeting the government recommended levels of physical activity in the previous week, of 150 min, were more likely to maintain their overall wellbeing through feeling that the things they did in their life were worthwhile (p < 0.0001) and reported an increase in feelings of connection to nature (p < 0.0001). While those who did less than 30 min of physical activity in the previous week were less happy (p < 0.0001) and more anxious than usual (p < 0.0001). The research highlights the importance of physical activity and contact with nature and how these can play important roles in maintaining people’s everyday wellbeing under extremely difficult national circumstances.

The impact of COVID‐19 restrictions on occupational balance: A mixed method study of the experience of Australian occupational therapists

“…Maintaining social connection with family and friends are highlighted in the literature as factors that contribute of occupational balance (Gonzalez‐Bernal et al, 2020 ; Wagman & Håkansson, 2019 ). Aligning with previous evidence (Gonzalez‐Bernal et al, 2020 ; O'Brien & Forster, 2021 ; Wada et al, 2014 , 2015 ) the participants of this study also used interpersonal strategies such as meeting the needs of their family, children and partners as strategies to maintain their occupational balance. Participation in various forms of exercise was another factor identified by the occupational therapists in this study as being important to enable maintenance of their occupational balance.…”

“…Participation in various forms of exercise was another factor identified by the occupational therapists in this study as being important to enable maintenance of their occupational balance. Engaging in physical activities has been shown to sustain wellbeing during COVID‐19 (O'Brien & Forster, 2021 ) and appears to support the maintenance of occupational balance particularly in this group of occupational therapists.…”

The association between physical activity and mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

“…Women’s physical activity levels were more significantly impacted by the increased difficulty and challenge due to the onset of COVID-19 restrictions. O’brien et al 2021 [ 42 ] Cross-sectional, 4007 participants (mean age 46.5 ± 14.7 years, 70% female) online survey during 10–26 April 2020, New Zealand. Physical activity (IPAQ-SF) Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-9).…”

Nature’s contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19

“…The common positive, motivating factors for modified nature contact in terms of outdoor nature visits during lockdown included physically exercising, relaxing in nature, taking children outdoors, walking the dog, and meeting friends and family (Ugolini et al, 2020;Heo et al, 2021;Dushkova et al, 2021;Xie et al, 2020). In contrast, demotivating factors included over-crowding/distance concerns, lack of facilities (e.g., toilets in parks), not being able to meet with people outdoors, and difficulty accessing safe, publicly open green spaces in addition to the governmental rules to movement restrictions (O'Brien and Forster, 2021;Shoari et al, 2020). The relative impact of these myriad factors on motivating and demotivating nature contact is currently unknown; it can be argued that the lockdown revitalized people's interests in nature and the potential of nature contact to cope with the pandemic and lockdown (Volenec et al, 2021;Venture et al, 2021;Rousseau and Deschacht, 2020).…”