exercise – Humans in Nature

Research

Exercise has been shown to improve psychological well-being. However, new research provides evidence that green exercise, which is exercising outdoors, has additional benefits. One study compared 4 groups of participants. The first group, called the green control group, cycled outdoors in greenery while the second group, the indoor control group, cycled indoors. The third and fourth groups watched a promotional video on the benefits of green exercise. The third group known as the green-expectancy group watched the video then cycled outdoors and the fourth group known as the indoor-expectancy group cycled indoors after watching the video. Once the exercise was completed, attitudes toward green exercise, vigor, perceived exertion, and self-esteem were assessed, as well as how knowing the positive effects of outdoor exercise before working out can improve the overall benefits.

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I believe that there are many ways that nature can affect a person. I have had the privilege of being shaped by nature since a young age. Ever since I was young I got the opportunity to participate with my mother in gardening. This helped me and her bond at a young age and helped me start using nature as a form of destressing from school.

Nature also was a place that I wanted to explore. In my own backyard, in campus going to the Japan House and Idea Garden, and studying abroad seeing the forest in the middle of Ecuador.

Being outside also gave me the opportunity to also start to better my lifestyle as I ate what I planted and I ran outside to clear my mind. This allowed me to loose about 100 lbs in 2-3 years. Overall, being outside has had many advantages in my life, and I believe that it has been the same situation with many other people. This is why I want to increase the comfortableness of people in nature and the exposuredness.