Nature and physical exercise improves mental health
2-minute read
The link between the outdoors, exercise and good mental health has been known for some time.
It’s becoming common for doctors to prescribe outdoor exercise to their patients:
'My doctor prescribed rambling for lockdown anxiety' - BBC News
Nottingham patients could be 'prescribed paddleboard session' - BBC News
The patients inspired to take up parkrun by their GPs - BBC News
Additionally, nature has also been identified as an important need. One that is vital in keeping us psychologically, physically and emotionally healthy.
What is very welcome is that ‘nature’ has a very broad definition, from parks, fields, woodland, canals, rivers and lakes, the seaside to even urban gardens and allotments. All of these, and more, give us health benefits.
Health benefits
Exercise decreases stress hormones, such as cortisol. It also increases endorphins—the body's ‘feel-good’ chemicals—giving your mood a natural boost.
Physical activity can take your mind off of your problems and either redirect it to the activity at hand.
Exercise can help improve circulation, strengthen muscles (including the heart), burn fat, lower blood pressure and heart rate.
By reducing stress through exercise, you are less likely to become ill. In a virtuous circle, people who exercise more are ill less often as they are less likely to be stressed.
Ideas
As lockdown restrictions are further relaxed, outdoor activities are restarting.
Here are a couple of suggestions that could improve your mental health immeasurably:
parkrun
Provisionally due to restart in England on 5th June, this hugely popular, free 5 km (3.1 mile) timed event can be run, jogged or walked at whatever pace you wish.
The organisers are proud that each Saturday morning more and more people of various ages, shapes and sizes take part in one of the 700+ community events in parks and open spaces across the UK. Inclusivity and accessibility to all are key elements of the parkrun mindset.
The shorter ‘Junior parkrun’ has already restarted for children aged 4-10 at select locations. The 2 km events take place each Sunday morning.
Discussions over the restarting of events in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are well underway and news on the provisional return dates should be released very soon.
In collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners, parkrun is being prescribed by GPs for nearly three years.
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/The Conservation Volunteers - ‘Green Gyms’
Nothing hits the brief of more nature and more exercise than combining the two through the ‘Green Gym’ concept.
Green Gyms are free outdoor sessions where you will be guided in practical activities such as planting trees, sowing meadows and establishing wildlife ponds.Unlike other conservation projects, the emphasis is very much on health and fitness – volunteers warm up and cool down in preparation for a range of light to vigorous activities to suit all abilities.
The Department of Health and GPs recognise the invaluable impact that Green Gyms can have on those who take part.
GPs now prescribe Green Gym sessions to patients to encourage them to improve their health and wellbeing.
Sessions have restarted in some of the 95 locations across the UK.
https://www.tcv.org.uk/greengym/
The best price - free!
Both of these organisations’ events are free. You only require clothing and footwear appropriate for the activity.
Given the negligible barrier to take part, these activities are perfect to recommend to relatives, friends and colleagues.
Getting outdoors, exercising and meeting-up with people again is almost the perfect antidote to a very tough year.
Habitus specialises in providing practical, engaging and lasting solutions to mental health.
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