Finding Flow in the Fells: What the Lake District Taught Us About Family, Nature & Wellbeing
- Life Between The Trails
- Mar 1
- 5 min read
There’s something quietly powerful about stepping away from routine and into the rhythm of nature.
Our recent trip to the Lake District wasn’t just a break, it became a reminder of why shared experiences, slowing down, and outdoor time matter so deeply for our wellbeing.
Not just emotionally, but neurologically, socially and occupationally too.
And as an Occupational Therapist, I couldn’t help but notice just how therapeutic those few days were.
Nature as Therapy (Even When It Doesn’t Look Like Therapy)
We often think of therapy as structured.
Goal sheets. Sessions. Interventions.
But sometimes therapy looks like:
• muddy boots
• wind-blown hair
• shared laughter on a steep climb
• tired legs and full hearts
Research increasingly shows that engaging with nature is more than just “nice," it can actively support mental and physical health.
Nature-based settings:
✔ Enhance emotional wellbeing
✔ Improve cognitive function and attention
✔ Reduce stress levels
✔ Increase engagement and motivation
Even brief interactions with nature can improve how our minds function and sharpen thinking .
And people who regularly spend time in green environments have a lower risk of depression and loneliness.
We are occupational beings and the environments we engage in shape how we function.
The OT Perspective: Environment Shapes Occupation
Occupational Therapy has always recognised the dynamic relationship between:
The person
The environment
Meaningful activity
Models like the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement highlight that wellbeing doesn’t come from just the individual but from the interaction between what we do and where we do it .
Nature provides:
• sensory regulation
• opportunities for movement
• social connection
• problem-solving
• autonomy
Outdoor engagement itself is considered a therapeutic occupation that supports quality of life and mental restoration .
This was visible throughout our trip.
Climbing became confidence-building. Navigating trails became teamwork. Rest stops became emotional regulation.
No formal intervention needed.
Family Time Is Not “Extra”
In everyday life, time together often gets squeezed between responsibilities.
But shared outdoor experiences:
• strengthen attachment
• build resilience
• create shared narratives
• support emotional development
From an OT lens, family routines and shared occupations are essential to wellbeing, not optional extras.
Moments like:
Holding hands on a narrow path.
Helping each other across stepping stones
Celebrating reaching a summit
…are occupations that build identity and belonging.
And belonging is a powerful protective factor for mental health.
Nature Changes How We Relate to Each Other
Outdoor environments naturally shift dynamics.
Nature is described in research as:
A neutral, safe space
One that fosters collaboration
Enhances engagement in meaningful interaction
Unlike indoor settings where distractions compete for attention, nature invites presence.
We noticed:
More conversation
More laughter
Less rushing
Less screen pull
Even silence felt connecting rather than empty.
The Sensory Magic of Being Outdoors
Nature supports regulation through:
• movement
• sound (wind, water, birds)
• visual depth
• fresh air
Forest-based experiences are associated with:
✔ Reduced anxiety
✔ Lower stress hormones
✔ Improved mood
✔ Lower blood pressure
This aligns beautifully with sensory integration principles in OT where multisensory input supports nervous system balance.
During our trip, these ideas weren’t theoretical, they came to life in the places we explored together.
What Families Can Expect at Muncaster Castle
A standout family experience during our trip was visiting Muncaster Castle and it’s much more than a historic house.
For families, it blends structure and freedom, which is often the sweet spot for meaningful engagement.
You can expect:
• Open grounds where children can move freely
• Woodland areas that invite calm, sensory exploration
• Trails and paths that allow child-led adventure
• The Hawk & Owl Centre ... a memorable highlight
• Spaces that work for different ages and energy levels
Great for exploring.
Wild Swimming
One of the most grounding experiences of the trip was time spent in and around the water.
Wild swimming (or even paddling at the edges) offers:
• Sensory immersion
• Nervous system regulation
• Emotional reset
Cold water exposure has been increasingly linked with:
• Improved mood
• Reduced stress
• Increased alertness
But even without the science there’s something powerful about it.
Testing the water, laughing at the cold, encouraging one another.
For families, it creates shared memories that feel adventurous without needing to be extreme. Even simply sitting by the water or dipping toes can have calming effects.
Hiking Together (Not Just Reaching the Top)
Hiking in the Lakes doesn’t need to mean big summits.
Some of our most meaningful moments came from:
• gentle trails
• uneven paths
• stepping stones
• slow climbs
When the focus shifts from destination to experience, hiking becomes:
A shared occupation
A problem-solving activity
A confidence builder
Children naturally engage in:
• balance
• planning
• risk assessment
• persistence
And families experience:
• teamwork
• encouragement
• connection
The journey becomes the therapy.
Why These Experiences Matter
Places like Muncaster Castle, time in wild water, and family hiking all offer something powerful:
Unstructured, meaningful occupation.
They support wellbeing because they allow; freedom, movement, connection, exploration and sometimes, that's just what families need the most.
I know we do!
Tips for Making Nature Work for Your Family
You don’t need a dramatic mountain range.
Research shows even small exposures like seeing trees or hearing birds, can improve wellbeing for hours .
Try:
Slow walks
Let children lead parts of the journey
Build in pauses
Notice sensory moments (wind, textures, sounds)
Focus on shared experience, not achievement
It’s the engagement that matters — not the distance.
Final Reflection: The River Keeps Flowing
If you remember from one of my previous posts, in OT, the Kawa Model uses the metaphor of a river to represent life flow, shaped by environment, relationships and experiences.
Our Lake District trip reminded me:
Nature widens the river.
Family strengthens its flow.
And meaningful shared occupations remove the rocks that block wellbeing.
Sometimes the most therapeutic thing we can do…
Is simply step outside together.
References
Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., et al. (2019).Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7).https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903
Pretty, J., Rogerson, M., & Barton, J. (2017).Green mind theory: How brain–body–behaviour links into natural and social environments for healthy habits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(7), 706.
Twohig-Bennett, C., & Jones, A. (2018).The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. Environmental Research, 166, 628–637.
World Health Organization (2016).Urban green spaces and health: A review of evidence.https://www.euro.who.int
NHS Forest (2023).Happy to be outside: Mental health and nature.https://nhsforest.org
Mechelli, A. (2024).Green spaces and mental wellbeing research – Urban Mind Project.Discussed in: The Guardian, May 2024.
Townsend, E., & Polatajko, H. (2013).Enabling Occupation II: Advancing an Occupational Therapy Vision for Health, Well-being & Justice through Occupation.(Canadian Model of Occupational Performance & Engagement)
Iwama, M. (2006).The Kawa Model: Culturally Relevant Occupational Therapy.
Wilcock, A. A., & Hocking, C. (2015).An Occupational Perspective of Health.
Park, B. J., et al. (2010).The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere). Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26.
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