James Wongs nature walks with Go Jauntly
June 30, 2020
2 min read
As restrictions begin to ease in the UK and more outdoor spaces open again, now seems like the perfect time to bring you some inspiration for your summer outside. Here at Liz Earle Beauty Co., we love being in nature, be it a ramble to a nature reserve nearby or a local woodland walk. It’s a passion we share with our friends at Go Jauntly, the free community-based walking app designed to help connect us with nature. We’ve chosen to collaborate with Go Jauntly on a series of 12 bespoke walks – 9 with audio commentary from our in-house Ethnobotanist James Wong – to help encourage us to get outside and reconnect with nature in a bid to improve our mental and physical wellness this summer. Before you set out on your walk, please remember to check the website or social media page of your destination – just in case they have any restrictions in place due to Covid-19.
It all started when we commissioned a study to measure the positive effects of being in nature. Ask around our office and most of us agree that time in the great outdoors helps us to feel calm and more positive, but what about women up and down the UK, did they agree? The answer was a resounding yes. Getting out into nature came out as one of the top ways women choose to improve their mood, reduce stress and switch off, while a quarter said they connected to nature by using skincare with natural ingredients (ooh, we like your thinking).
“86% of women polled believe spending time in nature is a good way of relieving life’s pressures and worries.”
Inspired by our findings, we got busy identifying our favourite walks to document and share via the Go Jauntly app. Nine of them – in London, the Isle of Wight, Nottingham, Bath and Edinburgh – include full audio commentary with botanical insights from James Wong (including the best cafes to refuel with healthy snacks and caffeine along the way, thanks @botanygeek) while : a further three walks – two on the Isle of Wight and one in London – feature his written commentary.
"Our own research has shown women can struggle to spend enough time enjoying the great outdoors which is why we’re partnering with Go Jauntly to encourage more women to discover the wellbeing benefits of the nature on their doorstep. Be that an undiscovered local woodland, or a dedicated urban green space in the middle of a city, there are important psychological benefits from being in nature such as relieving stress and anxiety as well as boosting mood, all whilst improving overall wellbeing.”
James has also selected his edit of walks with special botanical interest across the app, identifiable by a new Liz Earle Beauty Co. botanical button. These include a walk along the Thames Path, taking in one of our personal favourites, Petersham Nurseries and, of course, Kew Gardens (where James completed his training). You’ll also discover a walk around Ventnor on the Isle of Wight that includes a visit to the beautiful Ventnor Botanic Garden and its unique microclimate – a favourite haunt for our island-based colleagues.
Feeling inspired? It couldn’t be easier to get started. To access all the walks simply download the free Go Jauntly app via the App Store or Google Play and don’t forget to share your snaps with us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #NaturallyActive. Happy walking!