Green exercise

Last updated

Green exercise refers to physical exercise undertaken in natural environments. [1] [2] Physical exercise is well known to provide physical and psychological health benefits. There is also good evidence that viewing, being in, and interacting with natural environments has positive effects, reducing stress and increasing the ability to cope with stress, reducing mental fatigue and improving concentration and cognitive function. [3] [4] The concept of green exercise has therefore grown out of well-established areas such as the attention restoration theory within environmental psychology which have tended to focus on the psychological and physical effects of viewing nature (e.g., see the work of Kaplan and Ulrich) and well-recognised work about the psychological benefits of physical exercise.

Contents

Green exercise refers to physical exercise which takes place in relatively natural places. 2008-04-12 Crowd touring Durham.jpg
Green exercise refers to physical exercise which takes place in relatively natural places.

The potential role of green exercise in physical and mental health (e.g., due to nature-deficit disorder) attracted increasing attention from the early twenty-first century, [5] [ failed verification ] particularly through the research work of Jules Pretty and Jo Barton at the University of Essex. [2] [6] [7] [8] and several funded programs (see examples). Research has involved participants from many different cohorts including adults, young people and vulnerable groups such as those with mental illness (see research).

Theory

Green exercise can be usefully considered from a number of theoretical perspectives including:

Research

Adults

Research examining the impact of green exercise in adults has demonstrated significant benefits for self-esteem and mood. [2] [6] [8] The largest study of green exercise in adults involved meta-analytic methodologies to analyse the results of 10 studies based on 1252 green exercise participants. [8] Results indicated that "the overall effect size for improved self-esteem was d = 0.46 (CI 0.34−0.59, p < 0.00001) and for mood d = 0.54 (CI 0.38−0.69, p < 0.00001). Dose responses for both intensity and duration showed large benefits from short engagements in green exercise, and then diminishing but still positive returns. The study also revealed that all types of green environment improved self-esteem and mood, however the greatest improvements were experienced from environments where water was present. Similarly all cohorts of participants experienced improvements in self-esteem and mood, however those suffering from mental illness experienced the greatest increases in self-esteem.

Vulnerable groups

The outcomes of the meta-analysis by Barton and Pretty [8] indicated that green exercise may have therapeutic applications. This has led to the idea of Green Care. Green Care comprises all types of therapeutic green exercise activities including social and therapeutic horticulture, animal assisted interventions, ecotherapy,[ clarification needed ] facilitated green exercise, wilderness therapy and care farming. There has been extensive research into the benefits of these green care interventions. Care farming in particular has been demonstrated to improve self-esteem and mood in those suffering from a variety of mental illnesses, [9] whilst wilderness therapy has been demonstrated to improve self-esteem and psychological health outcomes in youth at risk. [10]

Children

Adirondacks - Rolling Pond Campground bouldering.JPG

In comparison to research in adults, research in children and young people has indicated that there is no additional benefit of taking part in green exercise for self-esteem or mood. [11] [12] These findings can be related to nature deficit disorder whereby children are spending less time outdoors interacting with natural environments. To receive benefits from having contact with nature an individual needs to be connected and feel some emotion towards it, [13] thus it is possible that children are not benefiting from green exercise in the same way as adults because they are not connected to the natural environment in the same way that adults are. [11] [12]

Examples

Instances of green exercise are numerous and diverse. Some examples include:

  1. Natural England is funding eight demonstration green exercise projects through local regional partnerships. The main aim is to increase levels of physical activity and people's connections to their local green spaces.
  2. Green Exercise Partnership between NHS Health Scotland, FCS and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). In partnership with SNH and NHS Health Scotland, the Scottish Government is providing £3 million funding to the Paths for All Partnership between 2007 and 2010 to develop its Paths to Health Initiative, which currently supports over 20,000 people to take part in health walks each week. SNH and Government funding is also being provided to BTCV to extend their green gym project. [14]
  3. Green Gym programs are a type of green exercise. These generally involve organised groups which engage in volunteer environmental restoration work, but which are also specifically designed to provide physical exercise and physical conditioning in the context of experiencing natural environments. An example of such a green gym program are those conducted through the Australian Conservation Foundation which are based on similar programs conducted by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. [15]
  4. Barefoot running is an example of a type of physical exercise (running) which is conducted so as to include a greater degree of contact with the surrounding environment (by going barefoot).
  5. Walk and Talk groups meet regularly for walks in green routes through the countryside, towns and cities following Psychology in the Real World [16] principles as elucidated by Guy Holmes, mental health service user activist Nicki Evans and others.

See also

Related Research Articles

Health has a variety of definitions, which have been used for different purposes over time. In general, it refers to physical and emotional well-being, especially that associated with normal functioning of the human body, absent of disease, pain, or injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental health</span> Level of human psychological well-being

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is a "state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community". It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Mental health includes subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental psychology</span> Academic study of the minds relationship to ones immediate surroundings

Environmental psychology is a branch of psychology that explores the relationship between humans and the external world. It examines the way in which the natural environment and our built environments shape us as individuals. Environmental psychology investigates how humans change the environment and how the environment influences humans' experiences and behaviors. The field defines the term environment broadly, encompassing natural environments, social settings, built environments, learning environments, and informational environments. According to an article on APA Psychnet, environmental psychology is when a person thinks to a plan, travels to a certain place, and follows through with the plan throughout their behavior.

A relaxation technique is any method, process, procedure, or activity that helps a person to relax; attain a state of increased calmness; or otherwise reduce levels of pain, anxiety, stress or anger. Relaxation techniques are often employed as one element of a wider stress management program and can decrease muscle tension, lower blood pressure, and slow heart and breath rates, among other health benefits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal-assisted therapy</span> Alternative or complementary type of therapy

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an alternative or complementary type of therapy that includes the use of animals in a treatment. The goal of this animal-assisted intervention is to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Studies have documented some positive effects of the therapy on subjective self-rating scales and on objective physiological measures such as blood pressure and hormone levels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brain training</span> Activities that improve cognition facilities

Brain training is a program of regular activities purported to maintain or improve one's cognitive abilities. The phrase “cognitive ability” usually refers to components of fluid intelligence such as executive function and working memory. Cognitive training reflects a hypothesis that cognitive abilities can be maintained or improved by exercising the brain, analogous to the way physical fitness is improved by exercising the body. Cognitive training activities can take place in numerous modalities such as cardiovascular fitness training, playing online games or completing cognitive tasks in alignment with a training regimen, playing video games that require visuospatial reasoning, and engaging in novel activities such as dance, art, and music.

Self-acceptance is acceptance of self.

Rachel and Stephen Kaplan are professors of psychology at the University of Michigan, specializing in environmental psychology. The Kaplans are known for their research on the effect of nature on people's relationships and health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban green space</span> Green area planned in an urban location

In land-use planning, urban green space is open-space areas reserved for parks and other "green spaces", including plant life, water features - also referred to as blue spaces - and other kinds of natural environment. Most urban open spaces are green spaces, but occasionally include other kinds of open areas. The landscape of urban open spaces can range from playing fields to highly maintained environments to relatively natural landscapes.

Attention restoration theory (ART) asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature. Natural environments abound with "soft fascinations" which a person can reflect upon in "effortless attention", such as clouds moving across the sky, leaves rustling in a breeze or water bubbling over rocks in a stream. Philosophically, nature has long been seen as a source of peace and energy, yet the scientific community started rigorous testing only as recently as the 1990s which has allowed scientific and accurate comments to be made about if nature has a restorative attribute.

Sport psychology is defined as the study of the psychological basis, processes, and effects of sport. Sport is defined as any physical activity where the individuals engage for competition and health. Sport psychology is recognized as an interdisciplinary science that draws on knowledge from many related fields including biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology and psychology. It involves the study of how psychological factors affect performance and how participation in sport and exercise affect psychological and physical factors. Sport psychologists teach cognitive and behavioral strategies to athletes in order to improve their experience and performance in sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Relaxation (psychology)</span> Emotional state of low tension and an absence of arousal

In psychology, relaxation is the emotional state of low tension, in which there is an absence of arousal, particularly from negative sources such as anger, anxiety, or fear.

Group Green Exercise refers to physical exercise undertaken in natural environments carried out as a group. Physical exercise has positive outcomes for both physical and mental health. There is growing evidence confirming the benefits to be had from contact with nature. The work of Prof. Jules Pretty at the University of Essex has revealed the synergistic benefits of combining the two in green exercise. New research, by Auckland University of Technology, is now investigating the additional social, physical and mental health benefits of Group Green Exercise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nature connectedness</span>

Nature connectedness is the extent to which individuals include nature as part of their identity. It includes an understanding of nature and everything it is made up of, even the parts that are not pleasing. Characteristics of nature connectedness are similar to those of a personality trait: nature connectedness is stable over time and across various situations.

Psychotherapy discontinuation, also known as unilateral termination, patient dropout, and premature termination, is a patient's decision to stop mental health treatment before they have received an adequate number of sessions. In the United States, the prevalence of patient dropout is estimated to be between 40–60% over the course of treatment however, the overwhelming majority of patients will drop after two sessions. An exhaustive meta-analysis of 146 studies in Western countries showed that the mean dropout rate is 34.8% with a wide range of 10.3% to 81.0%. The studies from the US (n = 85) had a dropout rate of 37.9% (range: 33.0% to 43.0%).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of climate change on mental health</span>

The effects of climate change on mental health and wellbeing are being documented as the consequences of climate change become more tangible and impactful. This is especially the case for vulnerable populations and those with pre-existing serious mental illness. There are three broad pathways by which these effects can take place: directly, indirectly or via awareness. The direct pathway includes stress-related conditions caused by exposure to extreme weather events. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Scientific studies have linked mental health to several climate-related exposures. These include heat, humidity, rainfall, drought, wildfires and floods. The indirect pathway can be disruption to economic and social activities. An example is when an area of farmland is less able to produce food. The third pathway can be of mere awareness of the climate change threat, even by individuals who are not otherwise affected by it. This especially manifests in the form of anxiety over the quality of life for future generations.

Audio therapy is the clinical use of recorded sound, music, or spoken words, or a combination thereof, recorded on a physical medium such as a compact disc (CD), or a digital file, including those formatted as MP3, which patients or participants play on a suitable device, and to which they listen with intent to experience a subsequent beneficial physiological, psychological, or social effect.

Nature therapy, sometimes referred to as ecotherapy, forest therapy, forest bathing, grounding, earthing, Shinrin-Yoku or Sami Lok, is a practice that describes a broad group of techniques or treatments using nature to improve mental or physical health. Spending time in nature has various physiological benefits such as relaxation and stress reduction. Additionally, it can enhance cardiovascular health and reduce risks of high blood pressure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nature exposure and mental health</span>

Nature exposure and mental health refers to the association between an individual interacting with natural environments and its effect on the individual's mental health. Most studies consider any interaction with nature as exposure, such as a hike, being in a forest or a place with water, going on a walk in a park, etc. Currently there is extensive research on the impact of the exposure to nature on people, which finds a beneficial association in various ways. Studies show that the contact of human beings with nature has decreased with the contemporary lifestyle of being most of the time indoors and with increasing time spent on screens. However, the interaction with nature has been considered to be a general health promoter thanks to the many benefits it brings to mental health and cognition as well. As a consequence, therapists use nature in their treatments to improve mental or physical health. These treatments and techniques are called ecotherapy.

Lifestyle and Mental Health is the title of a 2011 review article published in the journal American Psychologist by Roger Walsh. The article discusses categories of potential lifestyle changes to improve one's mental health along with supporting research. It is used in patient education. The article has garnered attention from editorials, books, and the medical literature. According to Google Scholar, it has been cited over 1050 times as of October 2024.

References

  1. ↑ MacKay, Graham J.; Neill, James T. (2010). "The effect of 'green exercise' on state anxiety and the role of exercise duration, intensity, and greenness: A quasi-experimental study". Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 11 (3): 238–45. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.01.002. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  2. 1 2 3 Pretty, Jules; Peacock, Jo; Sellens, Martin; Griffin, Murray (2005). "The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise". International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 15 (5): 319–37. doi:10.1080/09603120500155963. PMID   16416750. S2CID   10078664.
  3. ↑ Kaplan R & Kaplan S (1989). The Experience of nature: a psychological perspective" New York: Cambridge University Press
  4. ↑ Ulrich, R. S. (1981). "Natural Versus Urban Scenes: Some Psychophysiological Effects". Environment and Behavior. 13 (5): 523–56. doi:10.1177/0013916581135001. S2CID   145353028.
  5. ↑ Higham, N. (23 May 2008), Putting a spring in your step, BBC
  6. 1 2 Pretty, J.; Peacock, J.; Hine, R.; Sellens, M.; South, N.; Griffin, M. (2007). "Green exercise in the UK countryside: Effects on health and psychological well-being, and implications for policy and planning". Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 50 (2): 211–31. doi:10.1080/09640560601156466. S2CID   54179127.
  7. ↑ Neill, J. T. (2009). Green exercise: The psychological effects of exercising in nature . Presentation to the Annual Outdoor Recreation Industry Council Conference, August 15-16, Sydney Archived 2009-08-16 at archive.today .
  8. 1 2 3 4 Barton, Jo; Pretty, Jules (2010). "What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis". Environmental Science & Technology. 44 (10): 3947–55. Bibcode:2010EnST...44.3947B. doi:10.1021/es903183r. PMID   20337470. S2CID   1443095.
  9. ↑ Hine, Rachel; Peacock, Jo; Pretty, Jules N (2008). "Care Farming in the UK: Contexts, Benefits and Links with Therapeutic Communities". International Journal of Therapeutic Communities. 29 (3).
  10. ↑ Wood C, Bragg R & Barton J (2013). The TurnAround 4 Project" Archived 2013-08-28 at the Wayback Machine A report for the Wilderness Foundation
  11. 1 2 Wood, Carly; Angus, Caroline; Pretty, Jules; Sandercock, Gavin; Barton, Jo (2013). "A randomised control trial of physical activity in a perceived environment on self-esteem and mood in UK adolescents" (PDF). International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 23 (4): 311–20. doi:10.1080/09603123.2012.733935. PMID   23075427. S2CID   8733485.
  12. 1 2 Reed, Katharine; Wood, Carly; Barton, Jo; Pretty, Jules N.; Cohen, Daniel; Sandercock, Gavin R. H. (2013). "A Repeated Measures Experiment of Green Exercise to Improve Self-Esteem in UK School Children". PLOS ONE. 8 (7): e69176. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...869176R. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069176 . PMC   3722246 . PMID   23894426.
  13. ↑ Bratman, Gregory N.; Hamilton, J. Paul; Daily, Gretchen C. (2012). "The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1249 (1): 118–36. Bibcode:2012NYASA1249..118B. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06400.x. PMID   22320203. S2CID   10902404.
  14. ↑ Scottish Natural Heritage (2009). Developing the contribution of the natural heritage to a healthier Scotland [ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ Green Gym Archived 2009-10-27 at the Wayback Machine (Australian Conservation Foundation]
  16. ↑ Holmes, G. (2010). Psychology in the Real World: Community-based group work. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS. ISBN   978-1-906254131.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.