Last week I was invited to join an existing personal training group of young mothers in Sweden in an arboretum at the heart of a village, a park which is part of a horticultural college, open to the public.

It is well known that exposure to nature reduces stress, increase feelings of calm and relaxation. I found myself with a Swedish Fashion Editor from the equivalent of Vogue magazine and a tech business executive married to a Swede and a Swedish instructor in here late 50’s with a body of a 30-year-old who is married to a Brit. Her husband’s family even live nearby in Guildford!

We met in a clearing with large trees of different shapes which were used as part of the exercise regime with weighted balls, weights and straps for resistance work which were attached around the tree. This was ‘cardio’ part which was followed by mat work Pilates style.

It was a very different experience to working in a studio indoors. The natural light, space and exposure to the elements added a different dimension altogether and gives a sense of great wellbeing.

Its interesting to observe that Brits seem to have a different relationship to exercise and using the outdoors, particularly using natural environment as part of everyday life. People of all ages are frequently seen taking exercise outside as well as jogging and cycling.

We have the same choices to improve our wellbeing. Being outdoors, breathing in and seeing the seasons changing before our eyes. We are sometimes too busy and disconnected from nature to notice and sometimes too busy to talk to our neighbours even.

A more relaxed approach to daily life, where Largom is the Swedish mantra, which means balance is one to think about. Nature gives us perspective as it shows us how small we are. We all need breathing space away from our materialistic culture where we can live more simply working with all the tress and public green spaces around us.