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THE BENEFITS OF GREEN EXERCISE
Exercise in the great outdoors each day can improve mental health, according to Dr Jo Barton and Professor Jules Pretty, researchers at the University of Essex. As little as five minutes of a 'green activity' such as walking, gardening or cycling can improve one's self esteem and mood.

“A walk a day should help to keep the doctor away - and help to save the country money. There is a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to ‘self-medicate’ more with green exercise.” Dr. Barton said in a statement about the study, which was published in the Journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Many studies have shown that outdoor exercise can reduce the risk of mental illness and improve a sense of well-being, but Jules Pretty and Jo Barton, who led this study, said that until now no-one knew how much time needed to be spent on 'green' exercise for the benefits to become apparent.

The researchers studied data on 1,252 people drawn from 10 separate studies. They analysed activities such as walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming. The largest positive effect on self-esteem came from a five-minute dose, they conclude.

People of all ages and social groups derived some benefit, but they found that the greatest health changes occurred in the young and the mentally ill.

All natural environments were beneficial, including urban parks and open spaces, they said, but green areas with water appeared to have a more positive effect.

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