Health Benefits of Outdoor Exercise
We all know exercise is good for us. But did you know that exercising outdoors shows greater health benefits than exercising indoors? Specifically, research has shown that exercising in nature results in improvements in mental, physical, and emotional health. If you have to get your steps in, you might as well be happy while you're doing it, right?
The Research
Participants from a national Scottish Health Survey reported that getting outdoor exercise had a 50% greater positive effect on their mental wellbeing than working out in a gym. It was also reported that stress levels were improved through activities such as biking, walking, and running. Two years later, researches from the UK conducted an analysis of 10 studies and found that individuals reported psychological benefits after being in nature for a matter of minutes. Interestingly enough, participants even reported improvements in their self-esteem, along with mood. The study noted that young people and individuals with mental-illness seemed to benefit most keenly from outdoor exercise. And the strongest impact? When individuals exercised in an area that also contained a body of water, such as a river or lake. Isn't that fascinating? Furthermore, systematic review published in the journal of Environmental Science and Technology reported that participants who exercised in these natural environments experienced greater feelings of "revitalization and positive engagement," and diminished feelings of "tension, confusion, anger, and depression." In addition, individuals reported higher levels of enjoyment and satisfaction with outdoor exercise and stated a stronger intent to repeat the activity sometime in the future. The research is convincing, but how can we get in on these benefits?
Get Out!
Clearly outdoor exercise is psychologically superior to indoor exercise. So, what should you do? First, if you're the type of person that has never enjoyed exercising, try talking a walk around the neighborhood, invite a friend to bike ride, or whip out those old rollerblades. See what it feels like! Observe whether you feel more relaxed, joyful, and confident. Experiment with different types of activity to find what makes you feel the best. Second, if you're the gym-rat type - consider becoming a woodland mouse a few days a week! I personally have never enjoyed gyms, but I love a good bike ride, hike, or kayak adventure. You may not be surrounded by majestic mountains where you live, but sidewalks, parks, corn fields, and dirt roads can do the trick too. In Washington state, we have the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, along with the Washington Trails Association. Both of these organizations have excellent resources on where to find your next outdoor adventure!
There are a variety of research studies that suggest a benefit to outdoor exercise. It's your turn to try it out! Physical activity is important for a variety of body functions, but it also improves our mental and emotional wellbeing. Looking to feel healthier, stronger, and happier? Take a hike!
Sources: American Chemical Society, Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, BBC News, The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, and the National Institutes of Health.
