Green exercise is beneficial for overall health and well-being. Lunchtime walks can improve mental performance.
Green exercise is being physically active in a natural environment.
Health benefits of exercise in nature
Research shows exercise has several positive health effects such as lower blood pressure, and higher self- esteem and improved mood. Exercising in a natural environment has a significant greater positive effect on self- esteem than exercise- only. Furthermore, green exercise can improve feelings of well- being, especially for people who report experiencing low well- being
In contrast, exercising in a build environment can reduce the positive effects of exercise on self- esteem and mood. Build environments with little to no nature, can attribute to increased physical stress responses such as increassed levels of cortisol, which in the long run can have negative health effects such as cardiovascular disease.[1]
Research of the VU University Medical Centre shows a lower risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, lung disease and depression, in a green environment. Possible explanations are that the production of vitamin D is stimulated, hormonal balance improves, sleep and eating patterns are regulated better, and brain function improves.
Lunch walks in nature
Reseach shows lunchtime walks in a natural environment immediately enhance mental well-being and have a greater restorative effect. Furthermore, these lunchtime walks can also improve essential recovery during night-time sleep, potentially enhancing physiological health. [2]
Biophilic indoor design
Unfortunately it is not always possible to spend time in a forest and benefit from nature. Simply because we don’t have that time or there is no forest nearby. The biophilic concept is the perfect solution. By connecting nature to our interior, we can get similar health benefits such as lower levels of physiological stress, better brain functioning, higher productivity and performance and enhanced well-being.
Biophilic refers to the concept whereby the building environment we live in, is connected to the natural environment through the use of direct and indirect nature and space and place. It is far more than just putting a plant on the counter. A biophilic environment is a well thought out concept with significant benefits for your physical and mental health and performance.
CrossFit Eudokia has implemented this biophilic concept by using natural materials as much as possible, by imitating a natural green forest into our box, by using day light lightening and by minimising artificial lightening, air conditioning and loud music.
Create your own health!©
References
[1] Rogerson, Mike and Wood, Carly and Pretty, Jules and Schoenmakers, Patrick and Bloomfield, Dan and Barton, Jo (2020) Regular Doses of Nature: The Efficacy of Green Exercise Interventions for Mental Wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (5). p. 1526.; Wood, Carly and Flynn, Maria and Law, Robin and Naufahu, Jane and Smyth, Nina (2020) The effect of the visual exercise environment on the response to psychological stress: a pilot study. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 33 (6). pp. 716-729.
[2] Gladwell, Valerie and Kuoppa, Pekka and Tarvainen, Mika and Rogerson, Mike (2016) A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13 (3). p. 280.
