Embracing the outdoors and staying well in Spring

In our latest blog, Professor Dominic Mellor, Consultant in Veterinary Public Health at Public Health Scotland, shares some helpful advice to keep well while enjoying the outdoors in Scotland this Spring. 

Spring has arrived and with it, flowers and trees are beginning to bloom, the days are growing longer, and we’re experiencing drier and warmer weather following the often-challenging Scottish winter. 

The kinder conditions are an opportunity to spend more time outdoors in our beautiful country, which we know can have a positive effect on our mental and physical wellbeing. 

There are many ways to enjoy being outside, especially at this time of the year, and it helps to be prepared so that you and those around you can stay healthy whatever the activity.  

Explore the outdoors 

Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to enjoy outdoor activities like walking or wheeling in your local park, getting up a hill or going for a cycle. Regularly getting outside and doing physical activities is great for helping to keep fit. Being outside in daylight also increases the amount of vitamin D our body produces, which is essential for good bone and muscle health. 

We also have thousands of rivers, lochs, and beaches which are popular for people who enjoy wild swimming. To enjoy wild swimming safely, you should be aware of hazards. These include the temperature of the water, water quality, strong currents and rip tides. Our Wild Swimming resource describes some of the steps you can take to swim as safely as possible. 

Being in nature and green spaces is also great for our mental health. Going out with your friends and family is a good way to stay connected, and spending time with others or by yourself outside can help reduce stress levels.  

Remember, if you’re going out in the sunshine, apply sun cream, and drink plenty of clean water.  

Be aware of ticks  

As the weather gets warmer, it’s important to be prepared for ticks when you’re outdoors. 

Ticks are small spider-like creatures found on bushes and undergrowth, which painlessly attach to bare skin to feed on blood. Whilst feeding, they can pass on germs and diseases such as Lyme Disease, which if contracted can make you very unwell.  

To deter ticks, we can apply insect repellent, avoid going into long grass and undergrowth, and wear long sleeves with trousers tucked into socks. When you get home remember to check for ticks on your clothes and skin. 

If you do get a tick, it’s important to remove it safely, as soon as possible. 

Don’t touch dead birds 

During Spring, our vast array of bird wildlife is a wonder to watch and listen to, however, wild birds in Scotland are continuing to be affected by avian influenza, or ‘bird flu’.  

The risk of humans getting bird flu in the UK is low but not absent, so it’s important to be cautious by keeping away from and not touching any sick or dead wild birds. If you have a dog, keep it on a lead around coastal areas to prevent any contact with sick or dead birds. If you’ve been in the vicinity of wild birds, including if you have touched feathers or droppings, take basic hygiene precautions such as washing your hands with soap and water.   

Enjoy meeting the animals at a farm or petting zoo 

Spring is also a popular time to visit farms and petting zoos, especially around Easter. It’s fun and educational to meet the animals, though it’s important to be aware that they can carry germs which could make us unwell.  

Remember to always wash your hands with soap and water after touching animals or places they’re kept, especially before eating or drinking. Alcohol gels and wipes aren’t always effective against all germs, so washing hands with soap and water is the best way to protect yourself. If you’re with young children, supervise them to make sure they do it properly.  

Meeting animals and having fun is hungry work, but you should only eat and drink in designated picnic areas or cafes. 

If you’re pregnant, avoid contact with animals giving birth, or newborn animals like lambs, as they may carry germs that can be risky in pregnancy. 

Germs will also be on shoes and wheels of pushchairs, so remember to clean them with soap and water before bringing them back into your home. 

Get green fingers in the garden 

You don’t need to go far to enjoy being outside. Gardening is a great activity, which you can do if you have your own space, an allotment, or just by taking the time to pot some plants outside. 

Looking after plants is a mindful activity that can bring a real sense of accomplishment and improve your mood – as well as giving you physical benefits.  

If you use compost, avoid storing it in warm places like a greenhouse, and try to keep it cool and dry, as certain strains of the Legionella bacteria, that can cause pneumonia, can be found in damp potting compost or mud. It’s better to open compost bags outdoors and practice good hand hygiene in relation to gardening, including wearing gloves. 

By following the above simple advice, you can be sure to enjoy getting outside this Spring, whilst doing it as safely as possible. 

Further information  

More information on the positive impact that greenspaces can have on physical and mental health can be found on Greenspace Scotland and Nature Scot Natural Health Service. 

Information on keeping active is available on NHS Inform. 

More information about ticks, including prevention and removal, and Lyme Disease is available on NHS Inform. 

If you are concerned about sick of dead wild birds, please follow Scottish Government advice. 

More information about avoiding bugs and germs outdoors can be found on NHS Inform. 

Find out more about the current bird flu outbreak in a recent PHS blog.