The Green Exercise Challenge

Yesterday I had some spare time to spend in the city of Lisburn.  Rather than browsing in the shops, I decided to go on a short 20 minute walk around the streets.  It was good to get some exercise and to feed my Fitbit with a few more steps but I didn’t really feel refreshed afterwards.  By contrast, a walk around Lurgan Park always gives me a “feel good” feeling.  So it made me think if walking in nature is actually better rather than walking in a built-up area?

The answer is a resounding yes.  It’s actually called “green exercise” where physical activity is carried out in a green environment full of trees, grass and plants.  And when you carry out physical exercise beside water such as a beach or river, this is known as “blue exercise” and it is even more beneficial than green exercise.

What are the benefits of green exercise?

• Reconnecting with nature reduces stress.  It can even lower concentrations of the body’s stress hormone cortisol as well as lowering your pulse rate and blood pressure.  Trees naturally give off ‘phytoncides’ or ‘wood’ essential oils which have a beneficial effect on our nervous systems.  In one study, groups of university students walked through either a forest or through an urban city landscape.  Saliva samples were taken from the students before and after each of the walks. These samples indicated that when walking through a forest, the level of cortisol was reduced and this reduction was far greater when compared to walking through a city.

• Exercising in green spaces with its peace and quiet will lift your mood.  In some cases, it can even help with mild to moderate depression.  Being outside in natural light can be helpful if you experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that affects people during particular seasons or times of year. Indeed it has been estimated that there is a £6m mental health benefit of visiting NI woodlands

• Walking in green spaces encourages calmness which helps us to reflect on what’s happening in our lives.  Often our best ideas come when we are calm and relaxed so it’s a great way to boost your creativity.

• It’s free!  Compared to a gym membership and walking on a treadmill indoors, walking in your nearest park or forest is usually free or at least low cost.

• You get more Vitamin D as your body gets more exposure to sunshine, the best natural source of Vitamin D which we need for strong bones and overall good health.

• Undertaking green exercise with a friend has the added bonus of more social interaction.  This can also be a good way to increase your motivation to exercise eg regular dates to meet a friend for a walk or a run.

In every walk in nature one receives far more than he seeks.

John Muir

The bottom line is that we all need to spend more time engaging in green exercise and if you are blessed to live near a river, lake or the coast, spend more time in blue exercise.  Your body, your mind and your bank balance will see the benefits from it.