5 mins to mental health
Source: Agencies |
May 3, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
JUST five minutes of exercise a day in the great outdoors can improve mental health, according to a study released at the weekend, which urged policy makers to encourage more people to spend time in parks and gardens.
Researchers from the University of Essex found that as little as five minutes of a "green activity" such as walking, gardening, cycling or farming can boost mood and self esteem.
"We believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise," said Jo Barton, one of two researchers who led the study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Many studies have shown that outdoor exercise can reduce the risk of mental illness and improve a sense of well-being, but this new study found out how much time was needed for the benefits to show.
The study looked at data from 1,252 people of different ages, genders and mental health status taken from 10 existing studies in Britain. They analyzed activities such as walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, and farming.
The greatest health changes occurred in the young and the mentally ill, although people of all ages and social groups benefited.
Researchers from the University of Essex found that as little as five minutes of a "green activity" such as walking, gardening, cycling or farming can boost mood and self esteem.
"We believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise," said Jo Barton, one of two researchers who led the study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Many studies have shown that outdoor exercise can reduce the risk of mental illness and improve a sense of well-being, but this new study found out how much time was needed for the benefits to show.
The study looked at data from 1,252 people of different ages, genders and mental health status taken from 10 existing studies in Britain. They analyzed activities such as walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, and farming.
The greatest health changes occurred in the young and the mentally ill, although people of all ages and social groups benefited.
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