Green exercise

Green exercise beats working out indoors

When I was little, my parents were always telling me to “go outside and get some exercise.”  It turns out they were right.

Exercise is well known to provide physical and psychological health benefits. There is another factor, though.  Where we exercise may determine how much health benefit we get.  A scientific study is revealing that green exercise, which is defined as exercise done in a natural outdoor environment, has additional positive health effects as compared to indoor exercise.  In other words, if it’s nice out, go outside and workout. And if it’s cold and snowy, go outside and get your natural exercise.  Really!

This winter in Minnesota has had far less snow than usual.  And when an inch fell it felt good to go out with a shovel and clear sidewalks and driveways.  The same thing happens when you get out of the office (stuffy, enclosed, often dusty or even some mold) and go for a walk at lunchtime.  You’ll go back to work feeling better and more energized.

So until you can get in for a stress-beating massage, go outside and get some green exercise!