Outdoor Exercise
Physical Inactivity and Its Effects
Physical inactivity has well-documented negative effects on both physical and mental health. It is considered one of the leading risk factors for global mortality and morbidity, particularly in relation to non-communicable diseases, poor mental wellbeing, and reduced quality of life. As a result, major health organisations such as the World Health Organization and the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence actively promote physical activity as an essential strategy for preventing and managing mental ill health.
In recent years, this approach has expanded through the concept of social prescribing. Through social prescribing, individuals may be referred—or choose themselves—to engage in non-medical interventions, including structured physical activity programmes, as part of holistic health care.
The Influence of Nature on Physical Activity
Beyond the act of movement itself, the environment in which physical activity takes place plays a crucial role in shaping psychological health outcomes. In parallel, modern lifestyles have led to an increasing disconnection between humans and the natural environment, despite humans historically being an integral part of it.
As a consequence, only a relatively small proportion of the population regularly benefits from the health-promoting properties of nature. These include air filtration, noise reduction, and the production of antimicrobial organic aerosols that support physiological regeneration. Instead, recreational activities increasingly take place in enclosed environments such as gyms, swimming pools, spas, and indoor leisure facilities—particularly during the autumn and winter months.
The Need for Contact with Nature
Despite ongoing environmental changes and urbanisation, awareness of the need for contact with nature remains high. Physical activity provides a practical and accessible way to reconnect with the natural environment.
Accordingly, researchers have examined whether engaging in physical activity while being exposed to natural elements—commonly referred to as green exercise—offers greater psychological benefits than physical activity performed in artificial or indoor environments, such as gyms or fitness studios.
What Is Green Exercise?
Green Exercise (GE), also referred to as Green Physical Activity (GPA), includes any form of physical activity that takes place in natural or semi-natural environments. These settings may include urban green spaces such as parks, gardens, and campuses that require minimal human maintenance.
Over the past decade, a growing body of research has demonstrated that green exercise provides greater physical and mental health benefits than physical activity or exposure to nature alone. Importantly, the positive impact of natural environments on the human psyche is well established, with evidence showing improvements in mental health, life satisfaction, and aspects of personality development.
The Importance of Nature for Wellbeing
Nature-based therapies, outdoor activities, and early exposure to natural environments contribute significantly to overall wellbeing. Research shows that green exercise can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure, while simultaneously improving mood, self-esteem, and emotional balance. In addition, outdoor activity enhances heart rate variability, indicating improved autonomic nervous system regulation.
These effects highlight the powerful interaction between physical movement and natural environments in supporting both psychological and physiological health.
Why Wellbeing Matters
Wellbeing plays a vital role in long-term health outcomes. Higher levels of wellbeing are associated with increased life expectancy, faster recovery from illness, and the adoption of positive health behaviours.
Furthermore, time spent in natural outdoor environments has been linked to improvements in cognitive functioning similar to those observed after acute bouts of exercise. Therefore, when physical activity and nature exposure are combined, their benefits appear to be additive, resulting in enhanced brain function, mental clarity, and psychological resilience.
Conclusion
Outdoor exercise, and green exercise in particular, represents a powerful and accessible approach to improving physical health, mental wellbeing, and quality of life. By integrating movement with natural environments, individuals can achieve benefits that extend beyond traditional forms of indoor exercise.
In an increasingly sedentary and urbanised world, outdoor exercise offers a simple yet highly effective pathway toward better health and long-term wellbeing.
Want to improve your body awareness and overall well-being? DaFit offers tailored programs for interoception, mindfulness, and holistic fitness. Reach out to Roilou Dafni at 6936790377 (Viber & WhatsApp) to get started. Contact us now to start your personalized wellness journey!
Director
Dafni-Georgia Roilou
Graduate of the School of Physical Education & Sport Science
BSc & MSc
www.dafit.gr
Konstantinoupoleos 40 Nea Smyrni
28/12/2022
References
(Selected key sources for web readability)
Pretty, J., Peacock, J., Sellens, M., & Griffin, M. (2005). The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15(5), 319–337.
Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? Environmental Science & Technology, 44, 3947–3955.
Thompson Coon, J., et al. (2011). Physical activity in outdoor natural environments and wellbeing. Environmental Science & Technology, 45, 1761–1772.
Lamers, S. M., et al. (2012). Emotional well-being and long-term recovery. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 35, 538–547.
MacKay, G. J., & Neill, J. T. (2010). The effect of green exercise on state anxiety. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11, 238–245.
Boere, K., et al. (2023). Exercising outside and brain function. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1140.
World Health Organization. (2020). Physical activity.