fitbody
GREEN EXERCISE: Good for the Sole and Soul
by Dina Colman H
iking on a warm, sunny day be- side a trickling stream. Biking on a foggy morning to the sounds of the day’s beginning. Running along a tree- shaded trail and coming across wild turkeys. Welcome to ‘green exercise’. Exercise in any form or fashion can be good. Hitting the treadmill at the gym is certainly beneficial for the body, but the same exercise done out- doors can also nourish our mind and spirit. Green exercise is any physical activity done in the presence of nature, such as walking, biking, hiking, run- ning and gardening.
As residents of the East Bay, we have numerous beautiful open spaces to explore—65 regional parks with 1,100 miles of trails, as well as the ma- jestic trails of Mount Diablo State Park. All are accessible, no matter where in the East Bay we live. Within a few minutes of home, we can wonder at waterfalls, admire beautiful wildflow- ers, observe diverse wildlife and gaze at breathtaking, panoramic views. Research indicates that exercis- ing in nature improves not only our physical health, but also our mental health and overall sense of well-being. A recent study in 2010 by the Univer- sity of Essex, in England, shows that even five minutes of exercise outdoors can be beneficial, helping to increase self-esteem, improve mood and de- crease anxiety. In a survey conducted with members of the Danville-based Forward Motion Race Club (FMRC),
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100 percent of respondents said that exercising in nature was good for both their physical and mental health. For many green exercisers, a third element comes into play that extends beyond body and mind: the spirit. A feeling that surpasses improved mood, it is described by some individuals as a perceived connection to the world; others talk about experiencing a deep bond with nature. In the FMRC survey, for example, more than 80 percent of respondents said that exercising on the local trails helped them feel a connection to something larger than themselves. “I never feel as at one with the universe as I do on the trails,” says San Ramon resident Janet Fazio, who likes to run in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness with her dog, Chloe. “That’s where I align with my power. That’s where I find meditation.”
Pleasanton resident Lee Cannon agrees, saying that exercising in nature, “…fills my spirit with joy.”
And Alamo resident Christy Slye says that she, “…feels the connection to Mother Earth” when she is out on the trails.
Next time you’re gearing up for
some exercise, try it outside. Pay atten- tion to the sights, sounds and smells around you. Do you hear the birds joyfully chirping and the see the beau- tiful cloud formations in the sky? How does the earth feel beneath your feet? Bringing your awareness to nature
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