A study was done in Japan to study the physiological effects of "shinrin-yoku" (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) on mental health . The subjects in this study were 12 male students ranging from ages 21-23. The subjects would be separated into two groups and one group would exercise in the forest while the other group exercised in the city. Both groups would then have their blood pressure, pulse rate, and other elements measured, before and after their 15 minute walk. Aside from having vitals measured, they would also be given a questionnaire about about feelings they experienced after their walk. This study was done over the course of two days. All subjects involved in the study received the same treatment and the same meals (Tsunetsugu, Park, Ishii, Hirano, et al., 2006).
The Study
inhale nature
exhale toxicity
Results
This study found that the pulse rate and blood pressure was significantly lower in those who exercised in the forest compared to those who exercised in the city. The questionnaire also found that those who exercised in the forest felt more feelings of being "comfortable", "calm", and "refreshed" compared to those who exercised in the city. Overall, this study suggest that when we exercise in an environment such as nature, we experience a decrease in the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight system) and an increase in the parasympathetic nervous system (rest system), causing us to have a much more stress-free environment that can lead to better health outcomes.
If you are interested in exercising outdoors, there are plenty of resources available on campus! The Student Wellness Recreation Center at UNLV offers an “Outdoors Adventures” program. Students, faculty, and staff of UNLV are welcomed to sign up and join these events varying from snowboarding, rock climbing, rafting, hiking, and many more. The Outdoor Adventures website provides additional information about rental equipment, dates, fees, and forms to attend these events.
Your Questions & Concerns Answered.
Many of your questions and concerns regarding outdoor exercise can be answered simply through here. Through gathered research, this website provides answers to many concerns of outdoor fitness, as well highlighting benefits of exercising outdoors on mental health.
Exercising outdoors is intimidating to me…
What if I don’t have enough money for a gym membership? outdoors and indoors?
Is there a significant difference between exercising outdoors and indoors?
How does exercising outdoors boost my self-esteem?
I don’t have enough time…
References
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Yuko, T., Park Bum - Jin, Hideki, I., Hideki, H., Takahide, K., & Yoshifumi, M. (2007). Physiological effects of shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) in an old
growth broadleaf forest in yamagata prefecture, japan. Journal of Physiological Anthropology and Applied Human Science, 26, 135-142.
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