Green exercise refers to any physical activity that gives participants the benefits not only of exercise but also of direct exposure to nature. Green exercise is described as anything that is done in the outdoors; walking, biking, roller-blading, playing with your (grand) kids, walking the dog, and even mowing the grass.
Developing research continues to validate that interacting with nature can positively impact our health and wellbeing; relieve stress; and promote concentration and clear thinking.
In a study performed by psychologist Roger Ulrich, as noted in The Nature Fix, participants were subjected to a stressful situation followed by exposure to one of two different outdoor environments. The participants who were exposed to a nature environment as compared to exposure to an urban building environment demonstrated higher alpha brainwave activity, which is associated with relaxation, meditation and increased serotonin. This lends to the belief that effective recovery from physical stress can actually be found in nature.
It has also been discovered by Qing Li, immunologist in the department of environmental medicine at Tokyo Nippon Medical School, that our natural killer (NK) cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for sending self-destruct messages to virus-infected cells and tumors, can be increased by exposure to walking among the trees. Chemical substances emitted by evergreens and other trees, along with exposure to common soil bacterium, can reduce stress and anxiety as well as increase production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Boosting the ability to fight infections and disease along with cultivating a sense of happiness can be as simple as a walk beneath the trees.
Being outdoors to receive its benefits does not have to require a tremendous amount of our time. Studies in the last few years have revealed that even the smallest doses of activity can have a meaningful impact on our health and wellbeing.
- Decreasing the risk for CVD (cardiovascular disease)
- Increasing Energy
- Increasing Quality of Life
- Improving Mood
- Improving Self-Esteem
- Improving Self-Control
When something is better than nothing and Riverside Park is right outside the door…
Just 5 minutes of “green exercise” improves self-esteem and mood more than 10-60 minute workouts.
Short sessions of exercise, 5-15 minutes per day, are genuinely beneficial for physical and mental health.
60 minutes of walking per week, which is less than 10 minutes per day, is associated with significantly reduced CVD risk.
15 minutes of walking can reduce cravings for cigarettes among smokers and improves concentration in the face of distraction.
Stretched for time?
Do not underestimate the exponential power provided from a few minutes of outdoor activity. A dose of green will not only boost your metabolism but your immune system and sense of happiness too!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20074458
http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/body-mind-benefits-green-exercise-0