By Toni, 14th Sep 2022
There’s more to enjoying a day out at Bryngarw Country Park than you might think. As well as being good fun, spending time in a natural environment like ours can have real benefits for your health and wellbeing. Here are just some of the ways in which a visit to the park could give you just the boost you need.
1. You get your daily dose of natural light
Exposure to natural light is incredibly important for our mental and physical health. We’ve certainly been lucky enough to have plenty of it this summer. However, as we head into autumn and winter (when it’s oh so tempting to just cwtch up indoors and hibernate) it’s even more crucial to get outdoors for at least 30 minutes a day and soak up your daily dose of sunlight.
Getting enough natural light has been proven to enhance your body’s Vitamin D storage, encourage the production of the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin, improve eye health and help regulate sleep patterns. The good news is that you can get the same light exposure whether you’ve cycled to the park or sitting outside our café with a slice of cake.
2. Exercising in nature may have extra health benefits
We all know that regular exercise is good for us, but did you know that exercising in nature (sometimes called ‘green exercise’) can be particularly beneficial? Studies have shown that just being in green spaces has a positive effect on our mental and physical wellbeing, and can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve blood pressure and lower stress levels. Couple all that with a bit of a workout and you’ve got an extra-effective way to improve your overall health.
You don’t even have to go super aerobic by jogging around the park (although there are plenty of lovely trails to explore this way if you want to). Even a gentle stroll can be enough to get the circulation going and those endorphins flowing.
3. You can find peace and solitude when you need to get away from it all
Having a calming, natural space where you can take some time for yourself and get away from the daily grind can be really beneficial for your health and happiness. We have plenty of visitors who come simply to find in a quiet spot where they can relax and have a bit of peace for a few moments.
With so much space in the park, there’s always somewhere you can practice a little mindfulness; stop and listen to the birds, lie in a meadow and indulge in some lazy cloud watching or sit by the river Garw as it flows by. Our tranquil Japanese-style gardens are also a lovely location for anyone searching for solitude.
4. The kids can enjoy the many health benefits of outdoor play
Playing outside in the sunshine and fresh air is incredibly important for children’s health and development. Outdoor play is great exercise and can help children develop their motor skills, balance, spatial awareness and agility, as well as their communication skills. It’s also an important activity for helping kids understand social relationships, develop problem solving skills, learn how to explore the natural environment and improve their self-confidence.
If you have kids and are looking for a safe, natural play area, Bryngarw Country Park has everything you need from slides, swings, roundabouts and trampolines to inclusive facilities for children with disabilities – not to mention acres of woodlands, wetlands and fields to explore.
Bryngarw – your local country park
So, when you need a bit of a pick-me-up, why not pay us visit? We’re only five minutes’ drive from Junction 36 of the M4, a mile from Tondu train station and 10 minutes from the nearest bus stop (see our location here).
If you have any questions about visiting Bryngarw Country Park, just give us a call on 01656 725155. For all our latest news and events, please visit our Facebook page.