The Great Outdoors

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:11 am

There is increasing evidence to show that getting close to nature can make us feel less stressed and better about ourselves. A new study from the University of Essex UK, shows that 'green' exercise can boost mood, physical fitness and self esteem.

Prof Jules Pretty, who led the research team at the department of biological science, measured the mood and self esteem of 363 people who took part in 10 different 'green' activities such as walking, mountain biking and canal boating.

"We found there was a signifcant improvement in self esteem in nine out of ten case studies. The majority of people also found that after participating in the activity their anxiety levels dropped, they felf less depressed and more upbeat."

Get out into the garden folks

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:42 am

capt_buzzard wrote: There is increasing evidence to show that getting close to nature can make us feel less stressed and better about ourselves. A new study from the University of Essex UK, shows that 'green' exercise can boost mood, physical fitness and self esteem.

Prof Jules Pretty, who led the research team at the department of biological science, measured the mood and self esteem of 363 people who took part in 10 different 'green' activities such as walking, mountain biking and canal boating.

"We found there was a signifcant improvement in self esteem in nine out of ten case studies. The majority of people also found that after participating in the activity their anxiety levels dropped, they felf less depressed and more upbeat."

Get out into the garden folks

You betcha, I jump at every chance I get to be outdoors. I live only a few steps away from a lovely provincial park.

Grew up camping, travelling road trips in the wilderness, cycling, hiking fishing etc and still enjoy my outdoor persuits. And look at me now :wah:

Despite my cold heartedness ahahahaha

Ok seriously I can totally see the benifits with being close to nature. It is a great escape for the body and mind.

koan · Post by **koan** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:18 am

I'm not much into camping...that's a little too close to nature for me, but I love to garden. The first thing most people want to do when they are stressed or angry is go for a walk. Fresh air does wonders for the body, mind and soul.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:20 am

DIVE THE REEF!! all problems tend to remain at the surface when you go down!

gimli3 · Post by **gimli3** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:49 am

capt_buzzard wrote: There is increasing evidence to show that getting close to nature can make us feel less stressed and better about ourselves. A new study from the University of Essex UK, shows that 'green' exercise can boost mood, physical fitness and self esteem.

Prof Jules Pretty, who led the research team at the department of biological science, measured the mood and self esteem of 363 people who took part in 10 different 'green' activities such as walking, mountain biking and canal boating.

"We found there was a signifcant improvement in self esteem in nine out of ten case studies. The majority of people also found that after participating in the activity their anxiety levels dropped, they felf less depressed and more upbeat."

Get out into the garden folks
:)

The old philosophers like Seneca thought that, when you were old and retired, a good occupation is Observing Nature.

Perhaps they were right and this may be a good occupation for everyone, to have healthy spirituality.

OBSERVE NATURE.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:29 pm

Oh, a lovely time outside daily is the best thing a person can do. I take a walk every day during my prep period, unless it is raining hard or snowing. I just have to be outside for awhile, and everything always feels so much better afterwards. I am not surprised a study found this to be true!

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:30 pm

gimli3 wrote:

The old philosophers like Seneca thought that, when you were old and retired, a good occupation is Observing Nature.

Perhaps they were right and this may be a good occupation for everyone, to have healthy spirituality.

OBSERVE NATURE.

:)

I do hope people don't wait for retirement to observe nature....what a waste...I always encourage my children and grandchildren to appreciate nature from an early age.....the 'Great outdoors' is a wonderful place to be.

SlipStream · Post by **SlipStream** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:01 am

I'd love 2 lay down in our green and plesent land.

The Rob · Post by **The Rob** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:36 am

I commute by bicycle approximately 11 miles total every workday, and I intend to include some longer rides one day on the weekends soon. I can attest to the feeling of well-being upon arriving at work in the morning or home in the evening. Of course, some of that may be attributable to the fact that I accomplished the day's commute without being run down by some cell-phone jabbering idiot in his Hummer.