The benefits of outdoor activity.

If anyone has met me, they will know I love a bit of outdoors activity; be that hiking, rambling, mountaineering or running. I just can’t get enough, but why do I feel this is such an important aspect of my life?
Mainly because it helps clear my mind, I personally find being outdoors meditative, you are able to process your thoughts and digest your daily and weekly encounters, I often find it helpful to “de-humanise”.
 Don’t misunderstand me, I love spending time around people, however on some occasions this may become overwhelming.
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There has been much research into the psychological benefits of outdoor activity, sports or otherwise. A 2009 study by Ryan, Weinstein and Bernstein et al. published by the journal of environmental psychology, found that “Being outdoors was associated with greater vitality, a relation that was mediated by the presence of natural elements”.

A systematic review of studies comparing indoor versus outdoor activity conducted in natural environment suggests that outdoor activity, which is conducted in a natural or green environment causes greater feelings of revitalisation and positive engagement.
Similarly, a smaller pilot study revealed that participants had;

• reduced stress levels,
• significantly increased mindfulness
•  greater levels of happiness (Mutz and Muller, 2016).

Additionally, White, Alcock and Grellier et al. (2019), recommend spending 120 minutes a week within nature, for increased good health and wellbeing.
As well as the psychological effects of immersing yourself in nature, there are cardiovascular benefits.

• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced cardiovascular disease risk
• Reduced markers in stress chemicals, such as cortisol, nor-adrenaline and adrenaline.

So next time you’re thinking of binging on a Friends marathon, or scrolling through Netflix, why don’t you get outside instead? Embrace the outdoors and all of its benefits! It’s free at the end of the day, and your body and mind will thank you for it.
 
Gladwell, V. , Brown, D., Wood, C., Sandercock, G., and Barton, J. (2013). The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine. 

Mutz, M and Muller, M. (2016). Mental health benefits of outdoor adventures: Results from two pilot studies. Journal of Adolescents.49, 105-114.

Ryan, R., Weinstein, N., Bernstein, J., Brown, K. Mistretta, L. and Gagne, M. (2010). Vitalizing effects of being outdoors and in nature. Journal of Environmental psychology, 30. 159-168.  

White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J., Wheeler, B., Hartig, T., Warber, S., Bone, A., Depledge, M. and Fleming, L. (2019) Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730.  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3