How Nature-Based Movement Can Boost Your Overall Health
Picture this: you’re hiking in a lush green forest, taking in all of the sights and sounds, the fresh cool air, and the earthy scents. Or you’re walking along a rocky coastal path with glorious views of the ocean, focusing your attention on the uneven boulders and dirt pathway, noticing the smell of salty sea air and the sounds of crashing waves. What do you feel when you picture these scenarios? Can you think back to a time when you had similar experiences?
Exercising in green or blue spaces can profoundly impact your mental and physical health. Let's dive into the science behind why nature-based movement is so effective.
What Are Green And Blue Spaces?
Green space is a term used to refer to any place where you can immerse yourself in luscious green foliage and landscapes, such as forests, parks, and mountains. They can be natural environments full of trees, grass, moss, and other naturally green-occurring elements, or part of an urban landscape [1]. There may be bodies of water present, but the dominating elements are green in green spaces.
Blue space, however, refers to any flowing bodies of water, such as rivers, oceans, lakes, and the sea. Whenever you find yourself near a blue body of water that’s either natural or artificial, you are interacting with blue space.
The Benefits Of Green And Blue Spaces
The benefits of having access to green and blue spaces are many. Let’s take a look at a few to help you understand the potentially positive impact that spending time in nature in either natural or urban landscapes can have on your life.
Benefit 1: Positive Impact On Overall Health
Having access to local parks, beaches, urban forests, or coastlines can have a positive impact on your physical health. When you live closer to these areas or prioritize spending time in green or blue spaces, you feel more motivated to get outside and exercise. Establishing a movement practice that gets you outdoors to exercise can also have a positive impact on your mental health. When you take time to exercise and have access to do it in nature it’s a win-win!
Benefit 2: Making An Environmental Impact
Green spaces in particular naturally serve as an air filter, reducing toxins and improving overall air quality in urban environments [2]. They also provide a place for biodiversity to exist within urban landscapes. Lastly, they help mitigate the "urban heat island effect" by providing shaded environments where you can rest and relax in high temperatures [2].
Benefit 3: Bridging Communities
Urban parks and community green spaces provide a space for children to play, the elderly to connect, and local communities to get to know each other. Accessibility to both green and blue spaces is especially important for people who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, as they provide a place where children can interact and engage in physical activities which improves both social well-being and cohesion [3].
The Impact On Your Mental Health
Research has shown that spending time in both green and blue spaces can have a significant impact on your well-being. While there’s currently a growing body of research, here’s what we know about the impact of green and blue spaces on your mental health.
Interacting with green spaces has been linked to decreased anxiety levels, increased feelings of positivity, and lower cortisol levels, leading to reduced feelings of stress and a greater sense of well-being [4]. An experimental psychophysiology study has found that participating in "green exercise" is especially beneficial due to its perceived enjoyment, relaxation effects, and ease of adherence compared to indoor exercise [5].
Exercising in blue spaces has been linked to increased feelings of happiness and well-being due to the calming effects of water and the sense of connection to nature. Spending time in blue spaces can promote a sense of calmness and relaxation, a state of mindfulness by engaging your senses, and help you reconnect with nature after a busy day [6].
Incorporating Nature-Based Activity Into Your Movement Practice
By incorporating nature-based activity into your movement practice, you can experience the numerous benefits that come with it. Some simple ways to get started include:
Taking a walk or jog in a nearby park or forest
Cycling along a scenic river or coastal path
Practicing yoga or meditation in a green or blue space
Swimming or kayaking in a lake, river, or ocean
Exercising in green or blue spaces is a powerful way to improve your physical and mental health. By taking advantage of the calming effects of nature and the enjoyment of outdoor activity, you can boost your overall well-being. Remember, the key is to find activities that you enjoy and that allow you to connect with nature.
I am currently offering Sunset Flow Yoga classes at the beach on Wednesday evenings and Gentle Morning Yoga Flow classes at the park on Thursday mornings. So if you’re ready to get outside and start moving in green and blue spaces visit my offerings page and get in touch today to join the classes!