How Stean Gorge is urging people to head outdoors in an effort to improve mental health.

The advice comes ahead of  World Mental Health Day, which takes place across the globe on Monday.

The Nidderdale visitor attraction, carved out over thousands of years by waterflow, features an 80ft-deep chasm and underground cave network.

Recently, it has welcomed yoga and wild swimming to its outdoor activities, which include rock climbing, canoeing, abseiling, caving and gorge scrambling.

Above the gorge it also boasts the only Via Ferrata – a series of high wire and zip wires– in Yorkshire; one of just three in the UK.

Tony Liddy, director of How Stean Gorge, in Lofthouse, said:

“It’s proven that children and adults who spend more time in nature are healthier, happier and more resilient. It may be clichéd but it’s proven that nature does have healing qualities, it is our Natural Health Service.”

Studies show being in nature helps to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the production of stress hormones.

Mr Liddy said:

“We’re becoming a bit of a hot spot for natural detoxing, offering a complete escape. Our upcoming Springtime Cleanse will include yoga, wild swimming and gorge walking, whilst our Flow Back to Nature Weekend Retreat offers yoga, Stand Up Paddleboarding and bushcraft. The perfect antidote to stressful, hectic lives.”

Some experts are urging cold water outdoor swimming to be adopted as a public health measure, as it’s proven to help reduce inflammation, which is linked to health issues ranging from heart disease to depression.

Read more:

• How Stean Gorge set to build luxury cabins for groups and families
• New mental health event for men to launch in woods near Harrogate

Outdoor activities generally can advance motor skills, lower body mass index, improve muscle strength and generally boost overall health. Mentally, outdoor challenges can improve self-confidence, independence and self-esteem.

Mr Liddy said:

“Taking on physical challenges has huge mental health benefits. Our team of trained adventure instructors encourage visitors of all ages and skill-levels to take the opportunity to push themselves, mentally and physically. It boosts confidence, helps you overcome fears, and is a fantastic stress-buster. Ultimately, it’s about having fun.”

Other proven benefits include better resilience, being present in the moment, boosting creativity and problem solving.

The gorge has recently undergone a major face-lift, expanding its 20-pitch campsite and installing six new eco-friendly chalets with hot tubs and wood burning stoves.

Mr Liddy added:

“We’ve transformed the site with our ambitious expansion plans to cater to the huge demand for adventure tourism. We want to showcase nature’s stunning playground in this unique gorge that has existed for ten thousand years, since the last Ice Age.”

Graded as a triple Site of Special Scientific Interest, the gorge hosts geological formations, features bats hanging from its caves and fossils frozen in its limestone.