Yeah; talk about a soapbox. I love this one! Sorry to nag a little bit, but I think it’s worth it. And if you’re lucky it smells good, too.
And guess what? Someone else thinks it’s important, too! Researchers analyzed ten studies that involved more than 1200 people and found that getting outside and moving around for even just five minutes will enhance and improve mood.
I adore the fact that the researchers were not doing this as a psychological study—they were doing it to build up evidence for city planners and school designers! This is the kind of person I need in my future.
They did point out that it helped if you were in a “pleasant” outdoor environment… which, I can tell you, definitely does affect the quality of my workouts. There are times of the year when running out at the nearby baylands is just so stinky I think about leaving and driving someplace else instead of runwning through the stink. There were a number of months that I ran certain streets on Wednesdays and was always getting upset with myself for not looking at the calendar before I left—where I was running, Wednesdays were Garbage Days. Ew.
But think about the last time you were at a park, or walked through a pretty neighborhood, or actually did stop and smell the roses. When you recall those memories, don’t they bring a smile to your face?
Awesome.
The article, published in Environmental Science and Technology, describes these activities as “green exercise”. I call it “outside”.
Where will your August Adventure take your mood?
