Green exercise
June 6th 2010 19:49
A team of British scientists analysed the results of 10 separate studies involving about 1250 people to try to determine what affects mental wellbeing. That’s a fancy way of saying mood.
What the scientists came up with as the best way to raise spirits was sweet: a five-minute walk in natural surroundings.
The type of exercise is not important – you can cycle or row or skate or jump on a pogo-stick – and you don’t have to limit it to five minutes if you want to stay out longer.
It’s just that, if you find a park or a beach, and do some exercise in it, it is going to lift your mood. And the biggest lift comes in the first five minutes.
The effects were stronger if there was water nearby – so the beach or a park with a lake is best – and the biggest benefits were in young people and mentally ill people.
Study leader Jules Pretty, of the University of Essex, said those who were generally inactive, or stressed, or with mental illness would probably benefit the most from green exercise.
Paul Farmer, chief executive of the British mental health charity Mind, said the research was further evidence that even a short period of green exercise could provide a low-cost and drug-free therapy to help improve mental wellbeing.
"It's important that people experiencing depression can be given the option of a range of treatments, and we would like to see all doctors considering exercise as a treatment where appropriate."
The research results were published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
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