Hello Toggers!

Woodland walks

Take a walk in the woods

There is a special magic about taking a walk through a woodland in the springtime – there’s a symphony of bird song, a carpet of wild flowers and trees are starting to offer an array of fifty shades of green. You can see life all around you and you can’t help but smile.
 
Time spent in a woodland has been proven to support your mental, physical and emotional health. It stems from the studies that kick started one of my favourite practices, forest bathing. Trees and plants all emit volatile organic compounds called phytoncides that act as their first line of defence against predators (that could be insects, fungi or disease). When we absorb phytoncides into our system (which we do by breathing them in), they boost our NK cells (natural killer cells) which are special white blood cells that are a key part of our innate immune system, protecting the body from some diseases and cancers. Spending just a couple of hours in a natural environment like a woodland has been proven to boost your NK cell count for up to 28 days. 
 
This week we’re headed to the New Forest for our walk – to a place where your NK cells will get an amazing boost!
A walk with giants

A walk with giants

This week we’re headed to Rhinefield Ornamental Drive in the New Forest for our walk. The giant redwoods are impressive as they tower above us. At just over 5km in distance, this is a walk that can be done a leisurely pace, taking time to sit on one of the many benches dotted along the route to admire the beauty that surrounds you.

Congratulations Aiden!

Congratulations Aiden!

Over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend 10 year old Aiden Redfearn from Somerset, along with his intrepid parents, took on the mighty Ten Tors of Dartmoor in aid of The Outdoor Guide Foundation. It’s usually a challenge for those aged 14 years and over but that didn’t put Aiden, a seasoned walker, off, and he successfully completed his 36 mile challenge (including 1,533m of ascent) in 19 hours, 57 minutes. His amazing support will fund twenty of Waterproofs & Wellies for two local schools enabling more children to enjoy the benefits of outdoor play and learning. Congratulations Aiden and a big thank you from all of us.

If you or your company would like to help champion the benefits of time spent in nature for all children, please contact us. We have 400+ primary schools on our Waterproof & Wellies wait list – so there will be one in your area in need of support. We’d be delighted to have you on Team TOG!

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP

Four Things For You

Dartmouth Grove
Map Reading Made Easy
The Outtdoor Guide Foundation
Low Carb Living

Whether you’re walking in a woodland, in a park, on a beach, up a hill or down
a dale – make sure you take some time to walk yourself happy in the week ahead.

Julia Bradbury