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Health - nature improves your fitness and reduces stress
Physical inactivity has serious effects on human health, which cost the UK economy more than £8 billion a year. Research commissioned by the RSPB underlines the strong links between good physical health, good mental health and the natural environment that we strive to protect. Outdoor activities, particularly walking, offer a cheap and accessible route to better health for all, and address many of today’s pressing public health issues. The continued use of green space for physical activity is strongly linked to the quality of the landscape - in terms of beauty, diversity, and contact with nature. Natural health for national fitnessGreen space has a key role to play in the drive to increase levels of physical activity across the nation. Detailed studies of two recent schemes, using the natural environment to promote fitness (‘Health Walks’ and ‘The Green Gym’), show that being in contact with nature both encourages people to take exercise and sustains their participation in physical activity. 'The countryside can be seen as a great outpatient department whose therapeutic value is yet to be fully realised.' Dr William Bird, report author Sociable walking is recommended around the world as a simple, cheap and popular form of exercise. In contrast to more structured exercise, such as visiting the gym or team sports, walking is highly accessible, even to high-risk health groups. Research commissioned by the RSPB indicates that varied and wildlife-rich natural environments with inspiring landscapes are most effective in promoting sociable walking and a healthier lifestyle. Time spent in natural environments is known to promote a positive outlook on life and enhance our ability to cope with, and recover from, stress, illness and injury. Nature reduces stressAccess to green space can also help alleviate a range of mental health problems. For example, contact with nature reduces stress within minutes; increases the elderly's sataisfaction with where they live and improves children's concentration and self-discipline, including the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD). A new report, Natural Thinking, is downloadable from this page. Biodiversity and healthThe UK Biodiversity Action Plan has established targets to restore and recreate natural habitats. The delivery of these targets would not only fulfil the Government’s international obligation to halt biodiversity loss by 2010 but would also deliver on a wide-range of other people-based Government objectives, including enhanced public health. We urge the Government to act now to:
Fit for the futureThe RSPB believes that public health can be increased cheaply and sustainably by combining the provision of natural green space with local opportunities for social walking and outdoor activities. Increasing the availability of accessible natural green space will increase levels of physical activity, leading to increased public health and associated cost savings. Natural Fit: Can Green Space and Biodiversity Increase Levels of Physical Activity? is endorsed by the Faculty of Public Health.
What can I do?RSPB reserves are great places to enjoy being outside Reserves Last modified: 21 October 2004 | Downloads
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Rape seed, close up - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Three puffins standing on a rock - Steve Round
Ice glacier, Jökulsárlón, Iceland - (iStockPhoto, Ref: 1809179)