Interconnections and wellbeing. Embodiment of older lifelong outdoor enthusiasts and the more than human

ABSTRACT

This paper considers the sensuous feelings of 32 lifelong older outdoor enthusiasts. In a previous paper, the adaptations that these older folk had made in their lives in order to continue with their engagement with the outdoors were explored (Humberstone et al. 2022). This paper examines the ways in which these embodied feelings provide for the older persons’ wellbeing through their connect to the more than human and provide for awareness of and/or action in environmental issues, enabling mutual benefits. How being in the outdoors is experienced for these participants through their emotions and senses is examined, highlighting the ways in which they perceive their connections with the more than human and the ways in which these connections permeate into their everyday life and their personal wellbeing.

KEYWORDS:

• Embodiment
• senses
• joy
• ageing
• narrative

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the reviewers for giving their time to review our paper and for the insightfulness of their comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. We understand the notion of biophilia to be the idea that humans have a tendency towards connecting with nature and life.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Barbara Humberstone

Dr. Barbara Humberstone is professor emerita (sociology of sport and outdoor education), Buckinghamshire New University and visiting professor at Plymouth Marjon University. Her research interests include embodiment and nature-based activities, social and environmental justice, wellbeing, life-long learning and outdoor pedagogies. (Auto)ethnography is her preferred methodology. She was managing editor of JAEOL (2005-2023) and continues as editor in an honorary capacity. She has (co)-edited a number of books and published in a variety of Journals. She is a keen windsurfer, super swimmer and walker.

Geoff Cooper

Geoff Cooper, M.Sc., worked as a teacher, teacher trainer and for the Peak National Park before developing Wigan Council’s two residential outdoor education centres in the English Lake District. He is author of “Outdoors with Young People: A leader’s guide to outdoor activities, the environment and sustainability”. His current interests are in the links and shared values between outdoor, environmental and global education. He is a Board member of EOE and a Fellow of the Institute for Outdoor Learning. He enjoys journeys on foot and by boat that allow time to meet people, share stories and appreciate nature.

Di Collins

Di Collins, M.Sc., has a broad experience in education ranging from primary school teaching to university lecturing and mentoring, and in community and youthwork settings. Her research interests have always been concerned with issues related to encouraging and supporting access to the outdoors and the making of connections with the non-human. She was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel to Australia to explore making connections with nature and the outdoors. She is now exploring how older people build and develop these relationships, and the role that sense of place and creative expression within this.