Green Exercise: The Impact of Outdoor Activity on Health

Have you ever felt a rush of happiness after a walk in the woods or a sense of calm following a run by the river? You’re experiencing the power of (green) exercise, and it turns out, the benefits are backed by science.

Aparently, it isn’t just about staying physically fit; it’s about boosting your mental health, too. I recently stumbled upon some fascinating studies showing just how impactful nature can be on our well-being.

So, let’s talk about why these outdoor activities feel so good and some easy ways to make nature a part of your fitness routine.

The Short Story:

• Green exercise enhances mental well-being, reducing stress and improving mood.
• Outdoor activities support physical health, helping in weight management and heart health.
• Nature-based exercise boosts cognitive function, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Green exercise helps you grow a deeper connection with the environment and community well-being.

What is Green Exercise

Green exercise means doing things like running or gardening outside that are also good for your health. It makes you feel better and less stressed.

When you work out in nature, you’re not just getting stronger; you’re also taking care of your mind.

The cool thing about green exercise is how simple and easy it’s to get started.

You could take a quick walk in the park, do some yoga outside, or bike through the woods. You’re putting yourself in a place that naturally makes you feel good.

If you succeed in making these activities part of your day for a longer period of time, say at least 2 months, chances are you’ll be starting to feel fit as a fiddle.

And let’s not forget, those green healthy exercises are (almost all) free, which of course makes them much more enjoyable anyway!

What are the Physical Health Benefits of Green Exercise?

Getting out there and doing things like jogging or biking can really help lower your blood pressure and sugar levels, which is great for keeping your weight in check.

Here are some of the physical health benefits of green exercise:

1. Happy heart: Boosts heart health.
2. More sunshine: Gives you vitamin D.
3. Fitness a natural: Builds strength and endurance.
4. Disease defense: Lowers risks of chronic diseases.
5. Breath easier: Improves lung function.
6. Boost your mood: Reduces stress and anxiety.
7. Immune support: Strengthens your defenses.
8. Helps with blood pressure control: Helps keep it low.
9. Sleep better: Improves sleep quality.
10. More focussed Enhances concentration.

In short, green exercise really does keeps you fit, happy, and healthy!

When you choose to exercise outside or not, you’ll likely see your heart rate and blood pressure go down, which I hear is quite awesome for your heart.

Being outdoors can help you feel less stressed, giving your physical health an extra boost. So yeah, adding green exercise to your daily life can make a big difference in how you feel, physically and mentally.

So, lets talk about the mental perks.

What are the Mental Health Perks of Green Exercise?

Studies (eg: pubs.acs.org) show that being outdoors, doing things like walking, gardening, or hiking, is great for your mood and self-esteem. And supposedly, you can feel it quite fast too! I mean, I definitely knew that already, uch uch!

What are those mental perks you ask?

1. Chill vibes: Being surrounded by trees and fresh air can seriously dial down your stress levels.
2. Feel happier: Green exercise is a mood booster and it’s good for your body too. Which is another thing that can help you feel good, because looking good, helps with feeling good!
3. Confidence boost: Conquering those hills or trails in the morning or evening can give your self-esteem a solid boost. There’s something empowering about not accepting your own no.
4. Feel-good chemicals: When you get moving outside, your brain releases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that leave you grinning from ear to ear.
5. Brain power: Spending time in nature actually helps your brain work better. It’s like a quick mental recharge that boosts your focus, memory, and creativity.
6. Less stress: No matter how tough your day has been or feels like it’s gonna be, nature has this magical way of calming your mind and easing your worries by putting it in perspective.
7. Positive vibes only: Green exercise can help shift your focus away from negative thoughts, leaving you feeling more upbeat and positive.
8. Sweet dreams: And let’s not forget that all that fresh air and activity help you sleep like a baby at night, which is crucial for keeping your mental health in tip-top shape.

Nature helps calm anxiety, ease depression, and boost overall happiness. Even short times spent outside can make a big difference.

Ready to start yet? Even I’m thinking about going for a little run right now, before blogging more.

How to Start your Green Exercise Adventure?

Starting your green exercise journey is exciting! First off, look around for some local parks or easy trails that you like and fit your current stamina and workout goals.

Starting with a good place can really help with a positive first impression. Which knowing myself, is important, because the first couple of times might be the most challenging. I read somewhere you are supposed to make it to two months, before you can call it a routine. So makes sure you have fun and get a good workout.

Here’s how to get going on a great note:

1. Think about what outdoor activities you enjoy and match them with your fitness goals. This keeps you pumped to keep going.
2. Make a plan and set aside specific times for your outdoor workouts, making them a key part of your day.
3. Get some great tunes, that will either hype you up or get you focussed.
4. Tag along with a friend, or invite a friend so you can help each other going strong.
5. Safety first – wear the right gear, drink plenty of water, and get to know the places you’ll be visiting well.

What Are Some Easy Green Exercise Activities to Try for Beginners?

Here are some outdoor activities sorted by intensity level, because, why should I not make it a bit easier.

Low-Intensity:

• Walking: It’s a classic choice that’s easy to start. Take a stroll around your neighborhood, a nearby park, or a scenic nature trail.
• Biking: Cycling around your surroundings on a bike, starting with easy, flat routes and gradually increasing distance and difficulty.
• Hiking: Begin with shorter, well-maintained trails and work your way up to more challenging hikes as you build your fitness.
• Swimming: Perfect for cooling off on hot days, swimming is a refreshing workout with minimal impact on your joints.
• Yoga in the park: Many communities offer outdoor yoga classes, allowing you to combine exercise with mindfulness in the beauty of nature. It’s getting quite populair too!
• Gardening: Gardening not only makes your surroundings look better, at least that’s the idea, but also offers gentle exercise while you are busy in the outdoors.

A bit more intense:

• Biking: Go for a more adventures route, or maybe go for mountain biking.
• Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP): Enjoy the water and scenery as you paddle across lakes, rivers, or calm coastal waters.
• Tai Chi in the Park: Like yoga, Tai Chi emphasizes balance, coordination, and mindfulness, often available in outdoor settings for a serene workout experience.
• Rock Climbing: Many climbing groups offer moderate-friendly clubs with auto-belay systems, providing a safe introduction to this exhilarating sport.

Remember to start at a comfortable pace and gradually ramp up your efforts as you become more accustomed to the activity. Listen to your body, choose activities that you enjoy, and above all, have fun exploring the great outdoors!

Also, taking your phone with you and letting someone know where you’re going adds an extra safety net. Drink enough water, invest in quality gear, or maybe invest in it after two months, too make sure it is money spend wisely.

Always keep an eye on what’s around you and put your safety first when you’re exercising outside.

Give it a try, you might just like it!