Green seems to be the key word to describe all things beneficial to the planet and therefore to us. Well, green exercise is all about benefitting ourselves, both physically and mentally. What is green exercise?
Green exercise refers to physical activity performed in natural environments, such as parks, forests, or near bodies of water. It combines the benefits of exercise with the restorative qualities of nature, which together can significantly reduce stress. In fact, exercise near bodies of water have even more stress reduction benefits.
This is a great example of combining stress management techniques to increase your stress reduction. I am a huge fan of combining stress management techniques to customize your stress reduction efforts. And I hope learning about this one will encourage you to start doing the same. Need some incentive? Check out the following benefits of green exercise.
For a condensed video version of this information, click this link https://youtu.be/uKf7wPeM2Ho
BEING AROUND NATURE
Being in natural surroundings has been shown to lower cortisol levels, a key stress hormone. The sights, sounds, and fresh air of green environments are naturally calming, helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and tension. You can get more information on this in my article, Using Nature.
ENHANCED MOOD AND MENTAL HEALTH
Research suggests that green exercise can lead to an improvement in mood and mental well-being. It promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers, which can leave you feeling more positive and relaxed. Studies show that individuals who engage in outdoor activities often experience less depression and fatigue.
REDUCTION IN MENTAL FATIGUE
Green spaces offer a restorative break from heavy urban areas, helping to refresh the mind and enhance focus. This mental reset can reduce the cognitive and emotional overload often associated with stress. I like to compare it to when you need to reset/restart your computer or cell phone so that it works properly. Our mind sometimes needs that too.
IMPROVED PHYSICAL HEALTH
Physical activity itself is a great stress reliever. It helps the body manage stress by reducing muscle tension, improving sleep, and promoting cardiovascular health. When combined with a nature setting, the effects of exercise on reducing stress are amplified. For more information, see my article, Move Your Body – Reduce Your Stress.
PRACTICES MINDFULNESS AND GROUNDING
Green exercise often encourages mindfulness, as people are more likely to pay attention to their surroundings when outdoors. Not familiar with mindfulness? Just tap Mindfulness for more information.
Walking or jogging through a forest or along a beach promotes grounding and helps people disconnect from the pressures of daily life. That disconnect helps to reduce stress.
SUMMARY
Green exercise combines being around nature and movement with mindfulness and grounding to give you reduced stress and enhanced wellbeing.
The exercise/movement part of this can be for a few minutes or for as long as you want. You can go out to a natural resource like the beach or park. Or you can do gardening and maintenance of your landscaping for physical movement around nature. There are many options, truly something for everyone to enjoy and have less stress. Ready for a nice stroll at the beach or park? Let’s go!
Stress Less Today 