Exercise Outside 50% Better Than Gym For Mental Health

“Green exercise” or any physical activity outdoors (from stroll in the park or a bike through the forest) lifts mood and self esteem.  Professor Richard Mitchell’s University of Glasgow in Scotland. team studied two thousand physically active people (walking, cycling and jogging) in natural and non-natural settings.

The team found that only outdoor activities in grass and trees improved mental health.

University of Glasgow’s Mitchell found “there was a 50% improvement in people’s mental health if they were active outside around trees. “

“It seems that woodland and forest seem to have the biggest effect on helping to lower mental health problems “says University of Glasgow researcher Professor Richard Mitchell.

Mitchell says ” The brain likes to be in the natural environment and it reacts to being there by turning down our stress response.”

And Professor Mitchell  continues:

“I wasn’t surprised by the findings that exercise in natural environments is good for your mental health, but I was surprised by just how much better it is for your mental health to exercise in a green place like a forest, than in other places like the gym.”

So let’s  put this research into practice: Do you have some exercise that you can do at regular intervals?

If you want to cross country ski there are a few tricks to make things easier.

Ski where you can walk to the trails and there is a ski chalet run by volunteers tucked in the woods.

Glide Wax

The skiers who can ski all day have this in their back packs. So to ski with absolute ease, use this Swix universal all temperature liquid glide wax.  It takes about 2 minutes to do. Dabs and smears on with a shoe polish like applicator.

Link for Amazon Canada:

Super Comfortable Warm Boots

We also have the most comfortable and warm cross country ski boots on earth. Salomon Siam 7 Pilot boots.

The Ski Merino Compression Socks help with performance. They keep all your muscles and tendons in place and warm.

Amazon Canada link:

We have the Salomon pilot bindings too. We can slip in and out of them in a jiffy. Here we flip of the skies and enjoy the chalet wood stove with friends. It is so cold the beer froze in our packs, so they are thawing on the stove. And those are Ukranian “Pyrishky” (sauerkraut buns) made by an amazing cook and friend.


So think about trying cross country skiing. The technology of the gear has come a long way. You can feel warm and comfortable. You do have support.

The cold as fine as log as we dress for the weather.

Let’s go outside and stay outside all play!

Say it with me,

“Healthy Tree, Healthy Me”

Verla

It’s Spring! Time to get our bikes spruced up!

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28 comments on “Exercise Outside 50% Better Than Gym For Mental Health

  1. I love being outside and walking through forests, but I hate the cold! Being in the temperate pnw, we get a lot of rainy weather, but most days it’s still warm enough to walk in.

  2. Great reasons to get outside and clear the mind. It looks like ski boots have become less cumbersome over the years. I watched your video and they look so simple to put on/take off.

  3. Definitely agree – I do not waste my money on a gym membership because I prefer, by far, to be outside exercising ! There is nothing better than a hike with my Golden Retriever…. sure to lower my blood pressure, drive away any stress, and clear my mind! The more time I spend with living things – both growing from the ground and the four-legged variety, the better I feel!

  4. I believe the study for sure — I feel better just looking at the trees in these photos, ha. Can’t imagine if I was actually out there (although I live in MN, it looks similar here too).

  5. I like taking walks and being outside. Since it’s finally Spring, I think I’ll take some of my yoga practices outside, that should be amazing!

  6. I’ve never tried cross-country skiing (I live in Georgia), but it sounds like something I would enjoy. I can definitely tell a difference in how I feel after I go to the gym or use my treadmill vs. when I go for a hike or walk outside around the neighborhood. Getting exercise outside is much more calming.

  7. I love this post! I definitely agree that exercise outside is so much more beneficial than doing it inside, as it helps ground and center ourselves and brings us to an inner happiness and well being! Great post! Skiing looks like so much fun! I’d love to try it sometime!

  8. I love getting outdoors, live in the mountains surrounded by trees, breathing fresh healthy air, and watch a mountain spring. There is nothing that recharges my “battery” better that this.
    I like your blog and I look forward to read your posts.

  9. Luckily I live in Miami which allows me to go outside year round. Just earlier, I was in the yard with my daughter for a few hours. Sometimes I work in my patio if it’s not too hot. Great read!

  10. I certainly know when a walk will do me good! We live in a very rural setting and have the benefit of being surrounded by wooded land, so a walk for me equates to time among the trees. 🙂 Thanks also for the ski gear tips. I’ve been an alpine skier all my life (feeling great after a ski today) but have never tried cross-country!

  11. I with I could ski, but I’m not coordinated enough. I’ll settle for a relaxing and beautiful hike in the wintery outdoors though. We did a trip up north in New York and it was so relaxing. Heating up by the fire after a long day sounds like the perfect vacation.

  12. I try to spend as much time as possible outdoors, although I admit in the winter it is harder for me to do it.

  13. We live on five acres so I like to get outdoors especially when it’s cold and it is lovely amongst the trees. Unfortunately, allergies prevent me from taking in the trees and grass during warmer seasons.

  14. I love getting outside for long hikes on the weekend and walks with the dog during the week. Being in Minnesota during the winter can be tough, but getting outside for just a few minutes really helps fight cabin fever.

  15. Love getting outdoors! Our neighborhood is void of trees, yet I have crazy allergies. I can go camping in the midst of tons of trees and don’t have a problem. Although sometimes I think I’m just allergic to Texas.

  16. I know that when I am feeling down or overwhelmed, taking a hike or visiting a tree filled park calms me – though I never really attributed it to the trees before! Interesting take on it – one I will remember.

  17. Great idea to have both wooden and waxless skis! New snow or old snow you’re good to go. I replaced the three pin bindings on a pair of classic wooden skis with Salomon pilot bindings and I am having so much fun skiing with them . Salomon pilot 7 boots are the most comfortable boots I have.

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