Exercising outdoors 'lifts your mood'
05/05/2010 Exercising outdoors has a positive effect on a persons' mood and mental health, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the University of Essex carried out a study on over 1,000 people who spent time exercising outdoors and found it improved both their physical and mental health.
Just a few moments per day was revealed to have extremely positive effects.
Commenting on the findings, Richard Colwill, spokesperson for SANE, said that exercising outdoors can be effective in treating common mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
"It is also worthwhile remembering that you do not need to live next to a beautiful coastal walk or lake in order to benefit – exercise in a local park or your own garden can also be beneficial," he added.
However, Mr Colwill said that one of the largest problems people with depression have is finding the motivation to do things.
He recommended that those turning to exercising outdoors to help combat this mental health problem should try to build it into their daily routine.
Researchers from the University of Essex carried out a study on over 1,000 people who spent time exercising outdoors and found it improved both their physical and mental health.
Just a few moments per day was revealed to have extremely positive effects.
Commenting on the findings, Richard Colwill, spokesperson for SANE, said that exercising outdoors can be effective in treating common mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
"It is also worthwhile remembering that you do not need to live next to a beautiful coastal walk or lake in order to benefit – exercise in a local park or your own garden can also be beneficial," he added.
However, Mr Colwill said that one of the largest problems people with depression have is finding the motivation to do things.
He recommended that those turning to exercising outdoors to help combat this mental health problem should try to build it into their daily routine.
