Why we feel more creative outdoors

Why we’re all more creative when we’re outdoors

It’s summer! How lucky are we?! The chance to be outside, in the fresh air and sunshine, is a natural mood enhancer – and one of the best things we can do for our mental and physical wellbeing.

If you’ve been multi-tasking all day, then stepping outside for a walk, and stepping away from phones and emails, gives your subconscious time to reboot. According to scientists, that’s when we see bursts of heightened creativity and feelings of wellbeing.

Fresh out of ideas? Time for some fresh air!

We all know that feeling. There’s a deadline looming; an assignment due and you’re fresh out of ideas and inspiration.

Grab a pen – and go outside. We all feel calmer, brighter, and refreshed when we’re outdoors: whether that’s on holiday, or just sitting in the park, watching the world go by. You don’t need to be in the middle of nowhere, like a forest wilderness, or a deserted beach (although that’d be nice!) because the natural world is there wherever you look, even in the middle of the city.

We feel better, think better, and are more ‘ourselves’ again. Gazing at lush green leaves and grass has been directly linked to feelings of tranquillity and calm. And for all of us who love colour in our lives, green has a positive effect on creativity too.

Things happen when you’re outside

Taking the time to be ‘in the moment’ often makes it easier to free your mind and express yourself. So take your pens with you, and capture a moment of summer, in your journal or sketchbook. If you can, try and leave your phone at home, because the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to put the world on mute for a while.

Whether you create something just for you, or a card for someone else, you’ll treasure it more than another photo or Insta post.
You might even create a whole summer scrapbook or a getaway journal, if you’re on holiday, so always take some pens with you – and take every chance you can to get outside!

Let’s spend more of this summer in the sunshine – the possibilities are endless.