14 January 2024 , 09:00
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Gardening, woodland walks, and a stroll around the local park, are some of the outdoor pursuits Brits are undertaking this month – to beat the January blues, a survey has found.
The research of 2,000 adults found that eight in 10 (81%) feel that being around nature helps to boost their mood – with birdwatching, outdoor running or cycling, and stargazing, among other ways they plan to do so this month.
In fact, with 39% claiming their mood is "worse" in January than at any other time of year, 91% intend to try to combat this with some morale-boosting nature activities in the coming weeks. These include nature photography, dog walking, and simply watching videos of nature, or listening to natural sounds – like apps that play ocean waves or birdsong.
The study, commissioned by Clipper Teas, found that last year, Brits typically spent just an hour a week outdoors "in nature". But with recent events, like the cost-of-living crisis and Covid, taking their toll, six in 10 feel as if they need a boost "more than ever" – and, as such, two-thirds are keen to spend more time outdoors in 2024.
To highlight the benefits of reconnecting with nature, Clipper Teas has teamed up with Drag Queen Gardener, to launch "the GOOD tea campaign".
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Gardening and woodland walks are among the top mood-boosting activities during January (PinPep)The TV presenter and horticulturalist, otherwise known as Tom Leonard, said: "Starting my own allotment, and diving into the world of gardening, was not only incredibly healing for me – it also allowed me to have a greater appreciation for the biodiversity we have in our gardens and green spaces."
The study also found that 61% aren’t writing off January just yet – as they claim they’ll do all they can to make sure the first month of the year is a "success".
And it appears nature will play a major part in this – with other popular wildlife-inspired activities including fishing, foraging, and taking part in litter-picks.
Going on park runs, building animal habitats such as birdboxes, insect hotels, or hedgehog houses, and filling homes with houseplants, will also be commonplace.
As will beachcombing, joining a rambling or walking group, and cold water swimming, according to the research, carried out through OnePoll.
It also emerged 79% of those polled think there is "too much" bad news around at the moment – but 59% claim they actively try to counteract this by spreading positivity themselves.
And often, this is achieved through sharing good news – specifically about environmental issues, with 32% revealing that positive stories about sustainability help to improve how they’re feeling.
Hannah Williams, from Clipper Teas, said: "We're on a mission to reconnect you with nature – our commitment transcends the cup.
"We pledge to nurture biodiversity, uphold ethical practices, and contribute to a global movement restoring our connection with nature."
TOP 30 WAYS BRITS ARE TURNING TO NATURE TO BOOST THEIR MOODS IN JANUARY:
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- Walking around their local park
- Going on woodland walks
- Gardening
- Looking out for nature (e.g. squirrels, fish, insects, ducks, and other birds)
- Pet-sitting or dog-walking
- Birdwatching
- Outdoor cycling
- Outdoor running
- Being more eco-friendly
- Nature photography
- Watching videos of nature
- Listening to natural sounds (e.g. recordings or apps that play birdsong, ocean waves, rainfall, and more)
- Filling their home with more houseplants
- Stargazing
- Upcycling items which would otherwise get binned
- Going on park runs
- Being involved in a walking or rambling group
- Decorating their home with natural materials (e.g. leaves, flowers, feathers, tree bark, or seeds)
- Building an animal habitat (e.g. birdboxes, insect hotels, hedgehog houses, or similar)
- Filling their home with healing stones and crystals
- Beachcombing
- Litter picking
- Drawing or painting animals or nature scenes
- Mountain climbing
- Cold water swimming
- Writing about animals or nature
- Getting a new pet
- Fishing
- Foraging
- Outdoor yoga