Positive Mental Health – Get Out Into Nature

This week (10-16 May) is Mental Health Awareness Week and this years’ theme is ‘nature’. This theme is particularly close to my heart as I set up the OutdoorDadNI initiative to look at the connections between the outdoors and positive mental health.

After this year of multiple lockdowns, working from home, Zoom calls, home-schooling and toilet paper panic buying we need to be outside now more than ever. There has been a renewed focus on the power of nature and the outdoors over the past year and among many things recent research has shown: 

  • Time in nature – even 20 minute – can lower levels of cortisol which is a common stress marker.
  • Exposure to ‘green exercise’ can improve self-esteem and mood which are both indicators of mental health.
  • Walking in nature lowers blood pressure and the average heart rate. 
  • The outdoors can help strengthen the immune system, calm the mind & help restore focus. 
  • Even looking at a picture of nature or listening to a recording can have a positive effect on our mental health. 

With these positive benefits in mind I thought it might be useful to make a few of my own recommendations on how to best use the outdoors:  

Prescribe yourself some nature 

Doctors in the Shetland Islands have been prescribing ‘nature prescriptions‘ (birdwatching, rambling and beach walks in the Atlantic winds) since 2018 to patients to help treat mental illness, diabetes, heart disease, stress and other conditions. Also known as ‘green prescribing’, this involves the use of nature-based activities for improving the physical and mental health of individuals. Common activities include walking and cycling in nature, conservation activities, horticulture and meditation. The UK government recently launched a multi million pound pilot project last year as it has recognised that “the COVID-19 pandemic has made many more of us aware of how much we value and rely on outdoor spaces to support our health and wellbeing.” For more inspiration on the benefits of the mountains and in particular their power to change lives, it’s well worth checking out the Mountains for the Mind initiative lead by Trail Magazine or a course at Tollymore outdoor centre. One thing to note is that researchers from the University of Exeter have recently found nature is associated with a number of benefits but only if people chose to visit these places themselves. So get self-prescribing!

Go on an Microadventure 

A micro adventure is “small and achievable, for normal people with real lives”.  The concept was made popular by the author and adventurer Alastair Humphreys through his excellent book focusing on discovering local great escapes.  It’s full of ideas on how to get outdoors quickly, safely and easily. The outdoor company Alpkit now even have a ‘Microadventure Bivvy Bundle’ to get you started. 

Get on, in or near the water 

Coastal environments have been shown to improve our health, body and mind. There is something special about being out on or in the water. There has been a huge growth in open water swimming and cold water therapy through the Wim Hof method over the past year. For me personally, I recommend surfing, kayaking and especially getting on the water with a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Board. It’s a great accessible way of getting on the water and there are plenty of excellent local organisations to help you get out safely: Far and Wild, SUP Hub NI, Strangford Lough Activity Centre, Active Adventures NI, Long Line Surf School to name only a few.

Try Forest Bathing

This one doesn’t need a wetsuit. Go out to your nearest forest (the Woodland Trust have a useful woodland finder) and try some Forest Bathing.  Otherwise known as Shinrin-Yoku, this practice originated in Japan in the 1980s following scientific studies by the Japanese government.  The research has shown that 2 hours of mindful exploration in a forest reduces blood pressure & lowers cortisol. Trees release phytoncides, which have an anti-microbial effect on human bodies, boosting the immune system.  Research from the University of Derby found that improving a person’s connection with nature through this form of ‘nature therapy’ led to significant increases in their wellbeing.

Start small

Getting inspired by nature isn’t just about climbing mountains or coasteering off cliffs (although both are fun!) you can also start small by; reading a good book by Robert McFarlaneTristan Gooley or poetry by Mary Oliver or by exploring the hidden spots in your local area on an OS Map or just try a local Parkrun when they come back. 

Have fun, layer up, buy good socks, enjoy the rain and try to laugh like a toddler in a puddle.

Enda Young is a Programme Director at the William J Clinton Leadership Institute at Queen’s University Belfast, a Trustee for Lighthouse suicide prevention charity and an Accredited Practitioner of the Institute for Outdoor Learning.  

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iRocker Cruiser – Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Review

Chances are you have come across at least one photo of someone on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) on your social media feed recently. That’s because SUP is one of the fastest growing paddle sports in the world. It’s a cross between surfing and canoeing, and although it’s been about for a long time as a sport (and even longer as a way for early cultures to fish and transport possessions along waterways), it’s really been in the last 10 years that there has big a huge growth in this highly accessible sport. This is partially because about 80% of the SUP market is now inflatable boards (iSUPs), which have the advantage of being able to pack down into the boot of a car.

The wider a SUP, the higher the level of stability, the more forgiving they are. Effectively, the less likely you are to fall off it. The trade-off for the stability is usually speed, but if you’re just looking for a board to have fun with and be able to fit the kids (and dogs on) then a 33’’ wide SUP is a good place to start. It’s already really caught the imagination of my toddler!

After some research, I came across iRocker, a relatively new company based in Florida who have grown a reputation for high quality, good value boards. I bought the Cruiser 10’6’’ (long) x 33’’ (wide) inflatable SUP Package, their bestselling model that has tones of positive reviews online. The package deal offered on the iRocker website includes: the SUP; backpack; adjustable fiberglass paddle; ankle leash; hand pump; repair kit; and free shipping to Europe. Most importantly of all, it also comes in 5 colours. To be honest, one of the biggest attractions for me was the price point. Currently, you can buy the Cruiser package for £629 which is around £100 cheaper than most other comparable models from other manufactures on the market.

Cruiser Board Specifications
The deflated iRocker Cruiser with multiple D-Rings and leash

Won’t an inflatable board burst? 

iRocker use high quality quad layer PVC – which they claim is military grade – in all of their inflatable paddleboards. The quad layer construction offers four layers of protection and the high density internal core is held together with tight stitching that has heat welded seams which have been pressure tested.  I’m fairly sure you could try and hammer a nail (not recommended) through this board and it would be tough to make a dent in it. 

What’s it like to inflate?

It usually takes me around 10 mins to get up to the 15psi pressure that iRocker recommend, using the supplied dual chamber, triple action hand pump. The pump has a large easily read colour coded pressure gauge and the ability to switch the chambers as you pump is a brilliant feature (the more pressure in the SUP needs the easier the pump can become). If you want to splash out, you can also invest in the company’s 12V electric pump at an additional cost of £90. iRocker helpfully supplied an electric pump to help support a fundraising charity event I took part in and I genuinely couldn’t recommend it more. You can have your board inflated by the time you’re finished changing!

The ability to switch between pressure and capacity as you pump is a nice touch
15psi is the sweet spot

Is the build quality any good? 

For a product that’s on the lower price point of the SUP market (for the Cruiser model) I’m very impressed by the build quality of the board itself and the gear that comes with the package deal.  The backpack is made of a tough hardwearing material, with high quality stitching and high levels of paddling on the shoulders. The paddle packs down into three parts that fit inside the backpack and is easily customisable to multiple heights. The ankle leash is also of a high quality with a strong Velcro strap (the colour even matches the board).  The carry handle is nicely padded and the cargo net at the front and the 16 D-Rings are all useful touches.  If you find an issue with the build qulaity, iRocker also offer a 2 year warenty on all of their boards.

The supplied backpack with the board inside
The paddle breaks down into 3 pieces and fits inside the backpack
Adjustable fiberglass paddle

Does it paddle well in the water?

Yes, it’s great.  The Cruiser model is suitable for all skill levels especially beginners. iRocker claim that the 84cm of width and the extra wide tail make it their most stable board and “possibly one of the most stable iSUPs on the market”. I’m 6’’2’ tall and so far I’ve had the iSUP out on a river with a strong wind and out on choppy seas, and I’ve found the board to be incredibly stable. It has a tri-fin setup, with two permanently fixed smaller fins (these are removable in the latest model) and a larger removable flip lock 9” central fin to help keep the board in a straight line when it’s in the water. The quick release mechanism to attach the central fin is simple and robust.  Even in choppy waters there is much less flex than I was expecting which is impressive for a board full of air. (If you would like something with even more support, the company also make the Blackfin paddleboard which has the added advantage of a carbon rail along the board.  You’ll pay extra for this extra stability though.)

One additional benefit of the iRocker that’s worth a mention is that the company also offer a SUP to Kayak conversion kit that includes a moulded seat that attaches to pre-installed points on the board and a fiberglass kayak blade. I’m hoping to get my hands on one soon, and I’ll write a review as soon as I do. 

Near the mouth of the River Bann off Castlerock Beach

Conclusion 

If you’re in the market for a high quality, good value iSUP, then the iRocker Cruiser is worth buying. There are other great boards on the market, but for the money, the iRocker is hard to beat for someone looking to get into the world of Stand Up Paddleboarding.

Price: £629

You’ll find the entire iRocker and Blackfin ranges here.

*Updates:

Since I first wrote this blog back in 2019, iRocker have made some great updates to their Cruiser model. The iRocker now includes; 4 multi use action mounts, 2 grab handles on the back and front decks, 4 additional D rings, a grab handle on the front nose, rear cargo storage, 3 removable lock fins (the older model only had 1 removable fin) and its now 20% lighter than the 2019 model. The 2021 model also costs £80 more than the older model but I personally think this price increase is worth it for the extra features and still offers some of the best value for money on the SUP market.

To a Lighthouse for Lighthouse

I first tried stand up paddleboarding (SUP) a few years ago on a trip to visit family in Australia.  I fell off.  A lot.  So I naturally thought it would be a great idea to sign up to a 6 hour paddleboard journey up the River Foyle in September.  

My friend, Lawrence McBride who runs Far and Wild an outdoor company pushing the frontiers of environmental learning in the North West, came up with the idea of the Wave Sweepers SUP Challenge.  The concept is that you have six hours to get as far as possible on your board, before the tide turns on Lough Foyle.  The challenge will start at the Derry City marina, and the furthest paddle point is Greencastle in Co. Donegal.  Just a little further up the coast from Greencastle is the Warren Point Lighthouse (it’s a little confusing that it’s on the River Foyle and not actually anywhere near the town of Warrenpoint but it’s been there since 1861, so who am I to argue?!).  I’m Trustee andmember of the Board of Directors for Lighthouse, a charity that works to prevent suicide and provides a beacon of hope to those affected by suicide.

I’ve decided to see if I can paddle to this Lighthouse for Lighthouse as part of the Wave Sweepers event on the 7th September. Wave Sweeper is the name given to Manannán Mac Lir’s boat. Manannán Mac Lir was the greatest sea-god in Irish Mythology. His name means ‘son of the sea’ and he is regarded as the Overlord of the mighty Tuatha de Danann. His famous boat was named Scuabtuinne (‘the wave sweeper’), and was a chariot drawn by the powerful horse ‘Enbarr of the Flowing Mane’, who could travel easily both on sea and land. He used this chariot to transport beings from the mortal world to the Otherworld, of which he was Guardian.  Manannán’s son Feabhail actually gives the Foyle its historic name.  

The Route
The finish line​. Warren Point Lighthouse

It’s going to be a challenge dealing with a range of environmental factors such as: wind; tide; not to mention trying to actually stay up on the paddleboard for six hours (considering I haven’t managed more than a few minutes so far!).  I’ll be using a iRocker Cruiser board so I’ll have a review of this of kit coming soon. I’ve briefly been out on the water getting some pratice in on the River Bann and on the North Coast under the stunning Mussenden Temple

Maiden Voyage​ at Movanagher Canal on the River Bann

If you’d like to find out more about the fantastic work of Lighthouse you can visit their website here and contact them directly. I also know how much every penny raised for Lighthouse makes a genuine difference, so I’m trying to raise some funds for them on a Just Giving page, which you can visit here.

All and any support is much appreciated. Now for some SUP practice….

JustGiving - Sponsor me now!

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Why OutdoorDadNI?

Welcome to OutdoordadNI!  Over the coming weeks and months, I plan to publish articles focusing on being a Dad, and using the outdoors to encourage positive mental health.  

My wife and our two children (a wee 3 month old girl and a 3 year old boy) moved to the countryside in the northern Sperrin Mountains last year. This initiative is in part, a way for me to focus in trying to breathe new life into an old farm, and help us focus on how to best use the place we now call “home”.

Why this blog?

The statistics are well publicised. 305 died by suicide in Northern Ireland during 2017. That amounts to six deaths a week. The suicide rate for men, as well as for women, is higher in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK or Ireland.  This is a particularly brutal statistic, as suicide is the single biggest cause of death for men under the age of 45 in the UK.

My friend became part of those brutal statistics on a Sunday three years ago. This initiative is part of my way of trying to honour his memory. 

Last year, I became a director and board member of a brilliant suicide prevention charity, Lighthouse.   In some small way I also hope to raise awareness of their work through this initiative.  

If one person reads one post, or sees an Instagram image that can lead them to consider reaching out for support just once, then this blog will have been worth it. 

Why the outdoors?

Doctors in Scotland have started to prescribe nature as a treatment for their patients.Forest Europe has found that there is a lot of evidence that forests boost mental health wellbeing. New initiatives such as Mountains For the Mind have started as it’s been scientifically proven that spending time in the great outdoors is a powerful natural anti-depressant, and regular exercise can reduce the risk of depression by 30%. Being outside and being active is by no means the entire answer for positive mental health, but it can be an important part of the solution. 

Why me?

I fell in love with white water kayaking during my undergrad at Queen’s University Belfast, ended up president of the canoe club and worked in Tiso, an outdoor gear shop. I’m a self-confessed outdoor gear geek, so expect some gear reviews up here! 

I got the outdoor bug and through my MA looked at the use of outdoor experiential learning as a tool for conflict transformation.  I paid my way through this MA by working as the Good Relations Officer at the Belfast Activity Centre and spent weeks in South Africa looking at how organisations like Outward Bound use outdoor learning for peacebuilding.  Over a decade ago I became a kayak coach, obtained my Accredited Practitioner for the Institute for Outdoor Learning and became a Leave no Trace trainer. 

Last Christmas I was reminded of my love for the outdoors by Alastair Humphrey’s fantastic Microadventures book.  It reminded me of who I am and helped me focus on what kind of Dad I want to be.  I want my children to grow up knowing muck under their boots and the power of the outdoors to improve their own mental wellbeing.  

What’s next? 

I work full time as a Programme Director at the Leadership Institute at Queens University Belfast and I have a passion for mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution.  OutdoordadNI is a passion project, so I’ll be updating Instagram regularly, Twitter sometimes and this blog when I can. 

I’d really appreciate any thoughts so please leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

Looking forward to seeing where this goes. 

Enda

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