Liv Bolton

In her introduction to ‘The Outdoors Fix’ Liv Bolton reflects:
‘It’s hard to know exactly how the outdoors makes each of us feel, and sometimes words can’t describe it, but we do know (and research backs this up) is that being in green spaces can make us feel good, help our mental health and leave us wanting more.’
This message is central to the experiences of each one of thirty people who first shared their experiences with her on her podcast, and whose stories she now tells in this superbly presented book. Although their reasons for becoming so passionate about the benefits of spending time outdoors are as individual as they are, what unites them is their absolute belief in the many ways in which doing so has changed and enrichened the quality of their lives, improved their physical and mental health, increased their self-confidence, nurtured new friendships … to name just a few of the benefits!
Reflecting the different ‘routes’ to the outdoors taken by each contributor, their stories are divided into six sections: The career-changers; The community-builders; The movers; The after-work adventure seekers; The wildlife-warriors and, finally, The big-trip adventurers. I loved reading the individual stories and often felt in awe of the determination and courage with which some of the contributors had overcome challenges and hardships in order to achieve their goals. I also liked the fact that some of the stories showed that overcoming a major challenge was not a prerequisite for discovering a more satisfying, life-enhancing way of life and enjoying a real sense of personal achievement. There wasn’t one story which didn’t feel truly inspirational, particularly as each contributor offered their own tips on how people can achieve their own goals or find out more about a particular outdoor activity.
Interspersed between the main categories are two subsidiary sections: ‘20 small ways you can make your life more outdoorsy right now!’, and ‘20 outdoors sports to explore in the UK’ … offering yet more practical advice about how to go about benefitting from outdoor activities!
As with all books from Vertebrate Publishing, this one includes very comprehensive advice about ‘enjoying the outdoors safely, respectfully and responsibly’, a variety of useful websites and apps for information and advice, as well as other books, magazines, podcasts and festivals to further inspire outdoor adventures … and let’s not forget all the stunning photographs which accompany each contributor’s story!
This collection of truly inspirational stories shows that there really are no barriers to gaining access to outdoor spaces, and that even small changes to our activity levels can bring enormous rewards … there really is something out there to suit everyone!
With thanks to Vertebrate Press for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review – as will already be clear, I have no hesitation in recommending it.… (meer)