Environmental wellness

Welcome to my second blog post focusing on holistic wellness at Audley, this time around environmental wellness. As the flowers happily bloom and the birds chirp with newfound energy, let's delve into the importance of environmental wellness together.

Environmental wellness at this time means welcoming the season of renewal and growth: let's nurture our connection with nature, cultivate sustainable practices, and foster a sense of community that thrives amidst the beauty of spring.

The 8 dimensions of wellness

We are guided by the principles of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, a framework that acknowledges the interconnectedness of various aspects of our lives and emphasises the importance of nurturing each dimension to achieve optimal health and fulfilment. Several key areas of lifestyle are considered as dimensions of overall wellness; social, environmental, physical, emotional, intellectual, vocational, spiritual, and financial.

We encourage our owners to make individual and personal choices within these 8 dimensions to achieve optimal wellness.

A beautiful close up of Audley in bloom, shared by Patricia Kreyer

Connecting with nature and mental health

Did you know that spending time in nature can significantly improve mental health? Research has shown that activities like walking in green spaces or simply gazing at natural scenery can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. During springtime, as the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, our community offers ample opportunities for owners to immerse themselves in nature's embrace, thereby boosting their overall happiness.

There's also a link between the interior design of your home environment and your overall wellness.

Home environment

Gardening galore in balcony spaces

Many of our owners have balcony spaces and/or allotments which encourage green thumbs: the joys of gardening are abundant! Gardening becomes an art form, with owners nurturing vibrant blooms, aromatic herbs, and even petite vegetables.

These balcony spaces not only add a touch of nature to our living spaces but also provide opportunities for physical activity – digging and planting can provide low-impact workouts that promote cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. Additionally, the act of gardening has been linked to improved hand strength and dexterity, so grab your gardening gloves and get ready to reap the physical rewards of springtime gardening!

More benefits of gardening

Social engagement and community resilience

The science is clear: social connections are essential, especially as we age. Springtime in our community is abuzz with social activities, from group gardening sessions to nature walks and outdoor fitness classes (British weather permitting). These opportunities for social engagement not only foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie but also contribute to building a resilient community where owners support and uplift one another.

REDEFINING LIFE’S ENJOYMENT, MORE TIME FOR WHAT YOU LOVE

Mindfulness and stress reduction

Spring's symphony of sights, sounds, and scents provides the perfect backdrop for practicing mindfulness – the art of being present in the moment. Studies have shown that mindfulness techniques, such as mindful breathing or nature meditation, can reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and promote feelings of calmness and relaxation. So, take a moment to pause in the sunshine and take in the beauty of spring.

What is mindfulness?

Recycling renewal

Spring isn't just a time for nature's renewal; it's also a perfect opportunity for us to renew our commitment to environmental stewardship, starting with recycling. From repurposing old containers for planting to properly sorting recyclable materials, every small action contributes to reducing waste and conserving resources.

Sustainability

Earth Day

As an organisation we take our footprint on the world very seriously, and have made a conscious decision to prioritise our environmental and social responsibilities. This focus applies to all areas of our business, from construction right through to catering. At Audley Group we have started to plant trees around the world to aid reforestation programmes. We work with a fantastic organisation called Ecologi which works globally to help fund reforestation projects.

To date, we have purchased 5,500 trees.

Earth Day More about Ecologi