Getting outside and has many benefits to your body- according to science.
For all my ranting and raving about how great it is to have an under the desk treadmill, there really isn’t any replacing just going outside for a walk, preferably in a “green space.”
This is intuitively true- who doesn’t love to go for a walk in a beautiful park? But there is some science behind it as to why these types of walks are so good for us.
What is a greenspace?
A greenspace is an area of “grass, tree’s or vegetation set apart for recreational or aesthetic purposes in an otherwise urban environment” according to the Oxford Dictionary.
So, think city park. I am blessed that my town places a high value on greenspaces and try to get out to one any time I can. Generally, that means before or after work, and most certainly on my lunch break.
Truly one of the benefits of working remote is that you may better access to some of these places than if you worked back at the office.
What’s so great about a walk in the park? Lots.
Why A Walk In Nature Is Good For You, According To Science
Not only is it intuitive that a walk outside in a park is a pleasant experience, there is some science to back it up.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes was conducted and published in the Journal of Environmental Research (Environ Res. 2018 Oct;166:628–637). It showed that Greenspace exposure is associated with a wide range of health benefits.
This includes reductions in blood pressure, cortisol levels and heart rate. It also found a statistically significant decrease in diabetes and all cause cardiovascular mortality. It certainly can help keep the weight off which tends to creep on fairly easily in sedentary jobs.
So when that lunch break rolls around, avoid the temptation to turn on that under the desk treadmill- and head out for a brisk walk outside. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
And you can save the treadmill for that boring meeting you have scheduled at two.