Expeditions and challenging adventurous activities are good for the body and the mind. We explore the benefits of Adventurous Training (AT) for good mental health.
In an era where mental health concerns are increasingly prevalent, The Ulysses Trust offers an innovative and effective way to enhance well-being through adventurous expeditions. By supporting various challenging and enriching journeys, the Trust helps participants build resilience, foster social connections, and gain a sense of accomplishment, all of which contribute to improved mental health.
A Catalyst for Well-Being
Regular readers will know that the Trust provides funding and guidance for expeditions that test limits and broaden horizons. These activities, such as trekking, sailing, and climbing, offer unique opportunities for participants to engage in physical and mental challenges within natural and diverse environments.
Research supports our view that physical activity in nature helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by promoting endorphin release and reducing stress hormones.
EVEREST MARATHON
The Trust is keen to highlight the positive contribution AT can have on mental health. We’ve recruited two new Ambassadors, Sally Orange and Jordan Wylie, who champion the issue and often speak publicly and openly about their experiences of mental health and how adventurous activities help them personally and also society at large including cadets, OCdts and reservists. For example, Sally has recently returned from Nepal after completing a marathon on Mount Everest where she flew our flag and shouted from ’the top of the world’ about the importance of changing the conversation on mental ill-health.
IMPACT MEASUREMENT
The Trust monitors the impact of expeditions on the participants’ wellbeing by collecting feedback from the unit leader or Commanding Officer. This includes social emotional and mental health (SEMH), measured by the willingness of participants to take part, confidence, resilience and self-awareness. Here’s a selection of some of the feedback we’ve had over the past six months.
“The mental and physical resilience gained out of planning and delivering an expedition of this type has a major positive influence on the confidence and self-belief of all the team.”
“This has had a huge impact on the students’ mental health, building their self-confidence and resilience. The social importance of working within a team and supporting fellow students while they are struggling has been brilliant to see.”
“This expedition allowed all cadets and CFAVs [Cadet Force Adult Volunteers] to reflect and improve on their mental health. By spending five days in the outdoors, and largely away from phones and social media, a lot of headspace was found, and positive conversations had.”
We also received the following observation from a recent cadet expedition: “One cadet was having severe mental wellbeing challenges outside of cadets. Cadets is the person’s safe space and the expedition allowed the cadet to have support from fellow cadets and to learn what it is like to succeed on a challenge like an expedition.”
The evidence is clear, expeditions supported by The Ulysses Trust offer a unique and powerful approach to improving mental health through adventure. By combining the benefits of nature, physical activity, social connection, and personal achievement, these expeditions provide participants with the tools they need to enhance their mental well-being and resilience.