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Essay on Outdoor Activities

Students are often asked to write an essay on Outdoor Activities in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Outdoor Activities

Importance of outdoor activities.

Outdoor activities are essential for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They offer numerous benefits such as improving our health, mood, and environmental awareness.

Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Engaging in outdoor activities can help us stay physically fit and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, obesity, and stroke. Being outdoors also boosts our mood and reduces stress levels. It improves our mental clarity, creativity, and overall happiness. Outdoor activities allow us to appreciate the beauty of nature and instill a sense of care for the environment.

Examples of Outdoor Activities

There are many enjoyable outdoor activities to choose from. These include walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, playing sports, gardening, camping, and fishing. Even simple activities like sitting in a park or taking a walk around the neighborhood can have positive effects.

Getting Started

Getting started with outdoor activities is easy. Start with an activity that you enjoy and gradually increase the intensity and duration over time. Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and stay hydrated. It’s also important to be aware of your surroundings and take necessary safety precautions.

Outdoor activities offer numerous benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional health. Embracing outdoor activities can help us live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives. So, make time to get outdoors and enjoy the many benefits it brings.

250 Words Essay on Outdoor Activities

What are outdoor activities.

Outdoor activities are fun things we do outside in the fresh air. These activities include playing sports like soccer and basketball, going for a walk, riding a bike, or even having a picnic in the park. They are a great way to get out of the house and enjoy nature.

Playing outside is not just fun; it’s also really good for our health. It helps us get fit and stay strong because we move our bodies a lot. Being in the sun gives us vitamin D, which is important for our bones. Also, being outdoors can make us feel happy and calm, taking away stress and worries.

Outdoor Activities and Learning

When we spend time outside, we learn new things without even realizing it. For example, when we play a game that involves teams, we learn about working together and helping each other. If we explore a park, we might discover different plants or animals and learn about nature.

Enjoying Outdoor Activities Safely

It’s important to stay safe while having fun outside. This means wearing the right clothes for the weather, like a hat on a sunny day or a warm jacket if it’s cold. We should also tell someone where we’re going if we’re exploring a new place. And always remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

In conclusion, outdoor activities are a great way to have fun, get healthy, and learn new things. So, let’s go outside and enjoy the adventure that awaits!

500 Words Essay on Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities: a path to health, happiness, and harmony.

Outdoor activities offer a multitude of benefits that can positively impact our physical and mental well-being. Engaging in outdoor pursuits can enhance our overall health, promote happiness, and foster a deeper connection with nature.

Physical Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Spending time outdoors can significantly improve our physical health. Outdoor activities, such as walking, running, cycling, or gardening, help us burn calories, strengthen our muscles and bones, and boost our cardiovascular health. Regular exposure to sunlight also aids in the production of vitamin D, essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system.

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Being surrounded by natural beauty can help us relax, clear our minds, and restore our inner peace. Outdoor activities also provide opportunities for social interaction, which can combat loneliness and promote a sense of community.

Environmental Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Easy and accessible outdoor activities.

There are numerous outdoor activities that are easy to incorporate into our daily lives. Walking, running, and cycling are simple yet effective ways to get moving and enjoy the outdoors. Gardening is a relaxing and rewarding activity that can be done in even a small space. Birdwatching, hiking, and camping are great ways to explore nature and connect with the environment.

Conclusion: Embracing Outdoor Activities for a Fulfilling Life

Outdoor activities offer a wealth of benefits that can enrich our lives in many ways. Whether it’s a brisk walk in the park, a hike in the mountains, or a day spent gardening, spending time outdoors can improve our physical and mental health, connect us with nature, and inspire us to live more sustainably. Embracing outdoor activities is a key to living a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.

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The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all

Valerie f gladwell.

1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK

Daniel K Brown

Gavin r sandercock, jo l barton.

The studies of human and environment interactions usually consider the extremes of environment on individuals or how humans affect the environment. It is well known that physical activity improves both physiological and psychological well-being, but further evidence is required to ascertain how different environments influence and shape health. This review considers the declining levels of physical activity, particularly in the Western world, and how the environment may help motivate and facilitate physical activity. It also addresses the additional physiological and mental health benefits that appear to occur when exercise is performed in an outdoor environment. However, people’s connectedness to nature appears to be changing and this has important implications as to how humans are now interacting with nature. Barriers exist, and it is important that these are considered when discussing how to make exercise in the outdoors accessible and beneficial for all. The synergistic combination of exercise and exposure to nature and thus the ‘great outdoors’ could be used as a powerful tool to help fight the growing incidence of both physical inactivity and non-communicable disease.

Most discussions of human interactions with the environment concern the potential challenges they place on one another. These usually concern the extreme environmental demands such as those seen at high altitude, at depth or in extremes of temperature. Alternatively, they express the growing human population’s ongoing tendency to negatively influence the delicate balance of nature, which developed for millions of years prior to our evolutionary invasion.

With the multiplicity of the ‘great outdoors’ including forests, seaside, countryside, parks, local green areas and even gardens, another conversation considers the role of environment in benefiting human health. Green or natural spaces have been considered to be advantageous for health for many years. For example, in the UK during the 19th century Industrial Revolution, wealthy philanthropists developed urban parks for the benefit of the public’s health, and hospital gardens were considered an important addition for their believed healing properties [ 1 , 2 ]. A study in the early 21st century has further supported this belief, demonstrating an association between improved health outcomes and amount of surrounding ‘green space’ [ 3 , 4 ]. Subsequently, how and why the great outdoors may elicit health benefits has become a focal point for research.

Our hunter-gatherer ancestors existed with the outdoor natural environment for thousands of years, and it is hypothesised that this provides present day humans with an innate affiliation with nature [ 5 ]. In addition, nature provides an environment that does not require our direct attention, giving nature restorative properties therefore allowing recovery from mental fatigue [ 6 ] and attention restoration [ 7 ]. Although in the Western world, less people are involved in the natural environment on a daily basis, in particular reduced numbers working on the land, many people seek out nature and undertake outdoor recreational activities. Currently, there is an increasing trend for people to undertake outdoor endurance challenges but, paradoxically, there is a greater proportion of the population with insufficient physical activity levels to meet current health guidelines [ 8 ]. Recent reviews indicate that exercising outdoors appears to be more beneficial to mental health over indoor activities [ 9 ] and furthermore, natural environments have a greater impact on psychological health especially when exercise is incorporated [ 10 ]. To describe this potential synergistic benefit to health that occurs when exercising whilst being exposed to nature, the term ‘green exercise’ was adopted in 2003 [ 11 ] and published through peer-review in 2005 [ 12 ].

Pretty et al. [ 11 ] demonstrated that green exercise can improve mental well-being and markers of physiological health. There is subsequent preliminary evidence at physiological [ 13 - 15 ], psychological [ 9 , 16 , 17 ], biochemical [ 18 ] and social levels [ 17 ], which suggests that green exercise might have a useful role in primary and secondary prevention of disease. Moreover, there is evidence to suggest a role for green exercise in rehabilitation programmes [ 17 ]. In addition, engaging sedentary individuals in green exercise could be an effective vehicle in driving behavioural change by improving adherence rates to exercise programmes [ 19 ]. There is still a need to investigate the mechanisms behind observed health benefits of the natural environment [ 9 , 10 ]. A greater understanding of how nature positively interacts with human socio-biology may be mutually beneficial to both health and the environment.

The focus of this paper is to identify literature regarding physiological changes which occur as a product of participating in green exercise. Additionally, the likely interaction between these physiological changes and the well-documented psychological alterations will be discussed with regard to their potential health benefits. Furthermore, the impact that the great outdoors may have on exercise adherence and motivation to exercise will be explored in the context of increasing physical activity levels. Therefore the aims of the review are the following:

1. Outline the declining physical activity levels in the Western world and how the ‘green’ environment may help to decrease perception of effort and improve motivation to increase physical activity levels

2. Discuss the impact of green exercise on physiological and psychological markers of health and whether these impacts are enhanced by the green environment

3. Explore the mechanisms that are attributed to green exercise for improvements to health and

4. Discuss the consequences of the disengagement with nature and its impact on health.

Declining physical activity levels

Worldwide, 31.1% of adults are physically inactive [ 20 ]. Some of the decline is attributed to technological advances through the agricultural and industrial revolutions, and more recently, digital revolution. The focus of much structured physical activity in the developed world has also shifted indoors to gymnasia, sports halls, and to within the home; proportionally less physical activity is undertaken outdoors. Due to rapid urbanisation and nearly half of the world’s population living in urban areas [ 21 ], less green space and quality green space is available in which undertake physical activity or sport.

Green spaces, physical activity and health

The decline in physical activity is resulting in huge increases in physical disability and disease [ 22 ] and a rising number of cases of mental ill-health [ 23 ]. It is essential, therefore, to find ways of engaging all individuals to improve health and prevent further increases in non-communicable diseases. The use of outdoor natural environments for physical activity and health is not new. For 99% of human history, not only we have lived off the land and sought nature for basic survival needs and health, but also for pleasure and physical activity. More recently climbers, hill-walkers, mountain bikers and endurance athletes have all enjoyed the great outdoors and green spaces. It may not only facilitate enjoyment for participants and improve adherence [ 19 ], but may also encourage positive physical activity behaviours which are likely to produce greater health gains. As we maybe still genetically designed to be hunter-gatherers in the great outdoors, we are not being stimulated physically or mentally in the same way and this may be detrimental to health. One hypothesis suggests that we are all born with an emotional affiliation for other living organisms, i.e. nature loving [ 5 ], which may mean as part of our genetic makeup we are innately predisposed to desire nature contact, and thus maybe green exercise should be used to facilitate physical activity to improve health.

Green exercise, perception of effort, motivation and behaviour change

Although green exercise is perceived to boost health and this can be used as a powerful extrinsic motivation for exercise, not everyone will be motivated by this. People are motivated to exercise for many different reasons [ 24 ]. Some are extrinsically driven by external factors including what others may think of them, whilst others are intrinsically driven, maybe due to the enjoyment or the excitement of the challenge. Others engage for health benefits, whereas some may take part for the social aspect. The promotion of the social and entertainment benefits of physical activity appear to be more successful than those promoting health benefits to persuade individuals to partake in physical activity [ 25 ]. Green exercise may help motivation to undertake physical activity by increasing enjoyment and escapism from everyday life, with both a social and entertainment value.

There is even some evidence to suggest that exercise may feel easier when performed in the natural environment. When allowed to self-select walking speed, participants tend actually to walk faster outdoors, compared to indoors. Paradoxically, they report a lower rating of perceived exertion [ 26 ].

When asked to reproduce a given level of perceived exertion indoors and outdoors, individuals tend to walk faster at a greater physiological effort (verified by heart rate and blood lactate), suggesting they perceive exercise to be less demanding when performed in the natural environment [ 27 ]. A recent paper by members of our research group [ 28 ] explored the impact of colour in a video which simulated cycling within a natural environment. Participants cycled for 5 min in three different conditions: an unedited video (predominantly showing green foliage), the same video but with a red filter, and the same video with no colour. Interestingly, despite the video images all being the same apart from the colour, the rate of perceived exertion was decreased in the normal image compared to the other two conditions. Furthermore, total positive mood was increased (as mentioned later in the green exercise and health section). This potentially provides support for the first time that ‘greenness’ is an important component of alterations that are seen. There were no differences in physiological markers, e.g. heart rate and oxygen consumption.

Perception of effort is highly complex, comprising multiple components [ 29 ]. Perception of effort during exercise comprises input from the brain and integration of information from the feed-forward centre. The latter, particularly, may be influenced by mood and anxiety. There is also feedback from the various different sensors within the body, including central receptors, e.g. baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and those within the muscles, e.g. metaboreceptors and mechanoreceptors. These provide physiological and biomechanical information. Input also arises from auditory and visual information. In addition, there will also be the input of cognitive factors like prior experience at a given effort and context of the exercise, e.g. is it training or competition? All of these are integrated pre-consciously and will determine what a participant perceives the effort of exercise to be.

In the case of green exercise, the inputs from the visual system, the feed-forward centre as well as cognitive input may be able to act as a distractive stimulus, reducing the perception of exertion. Indeed this has been suggested for other distractive stimuli e.g. music [ 30 ]. It is likely that promoting attention to an external pleasant and green environment reduces awareness of physiologic sensations and negative emotions, thus minimizing the perception of effort. As discussed, mood is enhanced and perception of effort appears to be reduced with greenness [ 28 ]. Further evidence is shown, with real and simulated nature, in comparison to other environments (built or indoor) the increasing cognitive components including mood [ 9 , 10 , 12 , 16 , 31 ]. This suggests that green exercise reduces perceived effort and allows individuals to work at higher workloads, which may help to increase the amount of physical activity undertaken and motivation to continue. However, there is a dearth of studies that have investigated whether physical activity levels (duration and frequency) are altered by the exercise environment.

The restorative properties of an environment appear to mediate the frequency of physical activity [ 19 ], but most studies focus simply on the relationship between percentage of green space (usually surrounding housing) and physical activity levels. While one European study reported that individuals living in a greener environment were three times more likely to be physically active with a 40% lower chance of being overweight or obese [ 32 ], other authors have reported no association between the quantity of immediate green space and self-reported levels of physical activity [ 33 , 34 ]. The limitation of the majority of studies is the paucity of information regarding participants’ actual use of local green space, the perceived quality or even access to green space. Access to green space has been shown to be important for mental health and is associated with longevity and decreased risk of mental illness in Japan [ 35 ], Scandinavia [ 36 ] and the Netherlands [ 37 ]. Access also improves perception of general health [ 38 , 39 ] and quality of life in ageing populations [ 40 ]. The quality of the green space may also be associated with health as the biodiversity (i.e. range of species of plants and animals that are present in the environment) enhances the psychological health benefits [ 41 ].

It appears that having access to green spaces may facilitate physical activity and thus drive behaviour change by decreasing perception of effort and increasing motivation. An increase in physical activity levels will have a direct impact on health parameters. However, would green exercise offer greater benefits in terms of other markers of health than urban or indoor exercise?

Green exercise and health

A systematic review of studies comparing indoor versus outdoor activity conducted in natural environment suggests that outdoor activity which is conducted in a natural or green environment causes greater feelings of revitalisation and positive engagement [ 9 ]. All types of green exercise activities also improve self-esteem and negative mood subscales, such as tension, anger and depression [ 42 , 43 ]. Interestingly, the first five minutes of green exercise appears to have the biggest impact on mood and self-esteem, suggesting an immediate psychological health benefit [ 16 ]. Participating in green exercise activities also affects physiological parameters which differ to the changes observed in matched activity in an urban environment [ 13 ]. There are, however, only a handful of studies that have been conducted to investigate physiological health markers [ 13 , 14 , 18 , 44 , 45 ]. Physiological outcomes have included heart rate, blood pressure and autonomic control (using heart rate variability) and endocrine markers including noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol (an objective measure of stress).

Post-exercise blood pressure returns to baseline values more quickly after exercising in front of rural scenes compared to urban settings [ 12 ]. Japanese studies monitoring the physiological effect of walking within real forest environments (Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing) reported similar findings. Significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurred following both viewing alone and walking in the forest environment when compared to the same activity in an urban environment distinctly lacking in any vegetation or plantation [ 13 , 46 , 47 ]. A reduction in sympathetic activation assessed by lowered urinary noradrenaline may have elicited these effects on blood pressure [ 46 ]. Early work by Ulrich [ 48 ] suggested exposure to nature-heightened arousal and attention capacity with observed increases in heart rate. However, viewing scenes of nature following exposure to a stressful video [ 49 ] later confirmed that increases in parasympathetic activity occur more synonymous with lowered heart rate. In addition, heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of autonomic function, increased following both viewing and walking in a forest environment [ 50 ]. High HRV suggests healthy autonomic nervous system function and is inversely correlated with cardiovascular disease risk. HRV gives an indication of the adaptability of the nervous system in responding to challenges experienced by an individual such as stress and exercise. Using HRV analysis, a study from Japan [ 47 ] showed a tendency for a higher HRV, reflective of parasympathetic activity, whilst participants sat outside within a forest environment. This effect has been repeated indoors in a controlled environment enabling viewing nature alone to be highlighted as a cause for increased parasympathetic activity [ 14 ] and decreased heart rate [ 45 ].

Increasing the level of psychological stress is detrimental to health, and with stress reportedly increasing [ 51 ], methods to help to cope with stress are required. Nature may be one such solution as it does also appear to reduce stress markers. Endocrine markers adrenaline, noradrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol, all fall after being within nature, suggesting that exposure to nature affects the two main stress systems, the sympatho-adrenal medullary and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [ 13 , 52 ]. These studies suggest that exposure to forest environments is relaxing and has stress-reducing properties as observed by reductions in the physiological parameters of blood pressure, heart rate (accompanied by an increase in HRV) and endocrine markers. A further effect associated with the reduction in adrenaline is the improved immune function in the form of increased natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cell activity increased for up to 30 days after a three-day trip to a forest for males but only seven days for females [ 52 ]. This suggests that the interaction with nature does not have to be extreme to gain wide-ranging physiological health benefits.

Connectedness to nature

Parental physical activity behaviours influence not only children’s physical activity patterns but also their attitudes to physical activity and choice of exercise environment. If children engage less with nature, when they become parents their offspring may also be less likely to seek out nature. A cycle of unfamiliarity and disconnectedness is then likely to be passed from generation to generation. The human costs of this separation include attention difficulties and behavioural problems, higher rates of emotional and physical illness and diminished use of the senses [ 53 , 54 ].

Despite evidence suggesting that natural environments facilitate physical activity and provide health benefits [ 10 ], relatedness and/or connectedness to nature is declining in particular areas and parts of the world, especially in children and adolescents. This is primarily due to a lack of contact with nature, termed ‘the extinction of experience’ [ 55 ] or ‘nature deficit disorder’ [ 53 ]. The current generation of youth is largely restricted from accessing nature due to parental fears regarding strangers, traffic and criminal activity [ 56 - 58 ]. Only 10% of today’s generation of youth has regular access to nature, compared to the 40% of adults who did so when they were young [ 59 ]. Adolescents living in urbanised areas often perceive the countryside to be intimidating and are reluctant to visit if they have not experienced it as children. The amount of time spent outdoors does appear to be a positive correlate of physical activity in both children and adolescents [ 60 - 62 ]. Although small amounts of time are spent in green space in children, those who do tend to undertake higher intensity activity [ 63 ]. However, if generations become disengaged with nature and less importance is placed on the environment as a useful resource for health, the distance to travel to get to the green spaces will increase.

The purpose of this review was to identify and discuss how the great outdoors can benefit the general population. With declining physical activity levels in the developed world, initiatives to curb this downward trend are increasingly important. The great outdoors has been a crucial part of human evolution, and it is likely that this reaches into modern beliefs and attitudes towards nature, both conscious and unconscious [ 5 ]. There is evidence to suggest that participating in physical activity in a natural environment, or green exercise, might engage people in physical activity by increasing enjoyment of participation, offering social interaction and increased frequency of activity [ 19 ]. Interestingly, participating in green exercise activities alters the perception of effort. For those people engaging in green exercise, the nature element may help achieve a greater intensity of exercise without perception of effort changing. If a person perceives exercise to be easier, it has the potential to be more enjoyable. By reducing the perceived effort experienced during green exercise, a greater intensity may be achieved during the exercise whilst also maintaining adherence to and motivation for the activity. Taken all together, this should help to improve physical activity behaviour. Future studies need to explore the impact of the environment on perception of effort in greater depth, incorporating input from other senses. Furthermore, it needs to examine to what intensity of exercise nature may act as a distracter to perception of effort.

It has been the purpose of previous reviews to assess the role of nature from a health and well-being perspective. There is evidence linking the presence of surrounding green spaces to better physical and mental health. This evidence suggests that better health is impacted by the quality of green space, in particular, by levels of biodiversity. Further research should investigate the importance of biodiversity on health for the careful management of these areas to ensure the maximum benefit for health and for the environment. Considering both the quality of, and access to, green space, evidence for the impact on physical activity is conflicting. Many studies have not explored the use of more distant outdoor spaces for recreational use. The majority of studies use self-reported details of physical activity type, duration and intensity, which is subject to bias. Future studies should therefore use objective methods for assessing both physical activity and exercise environment. Accelerometry and Global Positioning System monitoring including Smartphones should enable this [ 63 ].

Engaging in physical activity outdoors provides opportunities linked to better health which is unavailable from indoor activity, such as exposure to sunlight for sufficient vitamin D levels. Additionally, outdoor activity shows greater improvements in mental health compared to indoor activity [ 9 ]. Building on the health benefits of outdoor activity, including exposure to nature during outdoor activity, has a synergistic impact on markers of mental well-being and physiological markers [ 10 ]. The study to date has identified changes in cardiovascular, endocrine and autonomic function which suggests a psychophysiological impact of nature and green exercise. However, little has been done to identify the mechanisms by which these changes are influenced by experiencing nature. Although seemingly counterintuitive for the purpose of research concerning the great outdoors, the use of controlled indoor environments is important for exploring the alteration of physiological parameters already observed. This will have important implications for using outdoor exercise for rehabilitation or prevention of disease, especially cardiovascular disease.

There are however, disadvantages and barriers to using the great outdoors. How the outdoor space is perceived influences usage. Although individual preferences differ, safety and opportunity for socialization are shown to be the key determinants for use of green spaces [ 64 ]. Ease of access, including transportation to the place of interest, suitable links between areas (i.e. footpaths not continuing without crossing/walking down busy roads/private land) all affect participation. Furthermore, socioeconomic status also alters local green space usage for physical activity. Higher socioeconomic status enhances park safety, maintenance, attractiveness and opportunity for socialization and is an important determinant of access to more remote nature (i.e. due to transport required to reach destination). Concerns for personal safety will motivate people to avoid perceived dangerous situations, and going outdoors in some areas does pose a threat. This is influencing parental choices, and there is a growing disconnection with outdoor activity and more specifically nature in the new generation of children. Also, neighbourhood crime safety, aesthetics, and traffic safety all influence participation levels. Safety concerns are also accentuated if the area is remote, where injuries or exposure to the outdoors for a prolonged period of time, especially in extremes of weather may occur. This is predominantly an issue for those individuals who are unprepared, not trained or not supervised correctly.

Conclusions

To summarise, outdoor natural environments may provide some of the best all-round health benefits by increasing physical activity levels with lower levels of perceived exertion, altering physiological functioning including stress reduction, restoring mental fatigue, and improving mood and self-esteem and perceived health. Thus, exercise within green spaces and the great outdoors may be a useful natural medicine ( vis medicatrix naturae ) [ 65 ] to address health challenges facing developed countries. Alongside the social aspect which some individuals crave, it may also increase enjoyment and adherence to bring about positive behaviour changes in a large proportion of the population.

The great outdoors, therefore, should not be just considered a playground for those who seek the thrills of extreme sports, but emphasis should be placed on access for all. One way of doing this is to ensure urban parks are maintained and are developed to produce interesting areas of high biodiversity, as well as more open play areas, where more sports may be played, increasing opportunities for exercise. Not only may both types of area elicit greater health benefits, but also may offer protection for the natural environment and preserve species. The management of countryside, forests and more extreme environments also needs careful consideration including ensuring access for all, but without the pressure of too many people visiting these areas, as this would potentially destroy the natural environment that elicits these health benefits. The challenge for researchers in this field is not only determining whether knowledge of nature’s health benefits can act as a motivator for behaviour change, but also ensuring that the increased use of ‘nature as a therapy’ is accompanied by a conservationist approach to ensure preservation of the environment. It is hoped that by more individuals partaking in green exercise and enjoying the great outdoors, they will retain their evolutionary connection with nature and act to become more protective of it.

Abbreviation

HRV: Heart rate variability.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

All authors helped plan, develop and write the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Why Is It Important to Spend Time Outdoors Essay

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Why Is It Important to Spend Time Outdoors: Essay Introduction

Health effects of spending time outdoor: essay body, exercise & outdoor activities: essay body, mood & concentration benefits of outdoor activities: essay body, essay about outdoor activities: conclusion, works cited.

Do you like spending time in nature with family and friends? Then you will definitely enjoy writing an essay about outdoor activities! But why is it important to spend time outdoors? Essay example on this page has the answer: check it out!

Spending time outside the serenity one is used to have positive effects on the physical and the mental health. Research shows that spending leisure time in those activities not confined to your area improves both the physical and mental well-being.

Outdoor activities includes walking, fishing, running, playing, mountain hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating and fishing, kayaking, picnicking and swimming. It is also healthy to spend time in nature settings for example watching the rivers flowing, adventuring the forests and game parks (Sisson 1).

Research proves that engaging in outdoor activities is significant to the growth and development of the body and the mind. However, this can be achieved through other means like indoors, but with a lot of trouble and expenses (Komaroff 1)

Many people like serenity of spending leisure free time in nature so that they can reduce or eliminate the stress and fatigue of engaging in day-to-day activities. The natural scenery and fresh air outside have the positive effects for both adults and the kids. The overall quality of children’s life improves when they are actively engaged in outdoor activities.

Engaging in outdoor activities means that a person will get enough sunlight. Sunshine acts as a source of vitamin D. When the sunlight hits the skin, the process starts from the involvement of the liver and kidneys; this eventually results in the development of the biologically active form of the vitamin. Many other vitamins do not have powers to fight back the diseases as compared to the vitamin D that has been proved more powerful.

Research proves that vitamin D protects the body against serious diseases like cancer, heart failures, stroke and the diseases of the mind like depression more than other vitamins do. A good source of vitamin D is the exposure of the arms and legs to sunlight for ten to fifteen minutes. Age and the skin color affect the rate at which the skin receives Vitamin D from sunlight.

Older people above 65 years of age generate vitamin D four times the people in their twenties while the dark skinned people produce about half the levels of vitamin D in their blood compared to the white skinned people. Ultra Violet light is the one that generates vitamin D when in contact with the body. However, the UVB light might be blocked by the sunscreens (Komaroff 1).

Research shows that engaging in outdoor activities enables human beings especially children to get more exercise. Researchers from Britain argue that a child who engages in outdoor activities is double active than those engaging in indoor activities. This research was undertaken using machines that track the movement of 1,000 children throughout the day.

It is advisable that one engages in those activities that keep the body in motion for a good body exercise for example walking, hiking, biking, gardening, and cleaning up the yard among other vigorous activities. A good exercise is good for the growth and development of a child (Komaroff 2).

Research shows that human beings become happy if they exercise in outdoor activities. Natural light tends to boost people’s mood and the only place one can access natural light is by moving out of the enclosures. Physical activities relax and cheer up people. Spending time outdoors makes an individual more proactive, cheerful and initiates a happy mood.

Researchers call the practice of exercising the body in the presence of nature as the “green exercise”. Such exercises are significant to the growth and development of the mind. Researchers from England argue that engaging in a green exercise for at least five minutes improves self-esteem, enjoyment and mood (Komaroff 2). Outdoor activities have the mental benefits such as the overall stress reduction.

Thinking capacity also tends to improve through improvement of attention that enhances connectivity in the brain and allows people to have good focus. Workouts also give one an opportunity to be joyous (Sisson 2). Spending time outdoor improves concentration. Children with emotional and mental disorders tend to experience the feeling of depression, lack of concentration and are not hyperactive.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children causes lack of concentration when they are subjected to too much work indoors. Research shows that such children will have better focus and improved concentration if subjected to the outdoor activities. Studies show that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) perform better in examinations after a scenery walk through a park than after an indoor walk in the neighborhood.

Other studies show that outdoor exercises have positive effects on children with ADHD. Adults who have a shorter span of concentration also experience this condition and engaging in outdoor activities may solve this (Komaroff 3). Spending time in an open natural setting drastically decreases the symptoms of ADHD, mental and behavioral disorders in children.

Workouts in a natural environment offer an emotional and behavioral release for the people with depression while the challenges faced during the adventure in outdoor activities help in regaining trust, self-confidence and improved self-esteem (Sisson 2).

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh showed that patients with spinal surgery might heal faster when exposed to the natural light. When they are under medication, they tend to experience pain and stress. Another study reported that when a patient views outside through the window it has a positive impact on the healing process. This is due to the fresh air coming in from the window (Komaroff 3).

Other studies have also shown that, spending leisure time in nature decreases prevalence to diseases such as blood pressure, heart failure, and sympathetic nerve activity. The anti-cancer protein and natural killer cells increase over time to prevent the infection and the growth of the cancer cells.

Body exercises done outdoors in green and blue natural, water like swimming enhance the growth of such body protective cells. Studies have also proved that engaging in outdoor activities increases body energy, more positive hyperactivity, less depression, anger reduction, less confusion, and reduced stress as compared to the indoor workouts (Sisson 1).

Spending time outdoor means going outside the enclosed setting to a natural space where one gets enough time to adventure what is new in the natural setting. Researches proof that engaging in outdoor activities is beneficial for the growth and development of the physical and mental wellbeing of an individual. In children, spending time outdoor prevents the emotional and behavioral disorders.

A lot of research has been done to counter the claims that indoor activities play the same role as those by the outdoor activities in the physical and mental health of an individual such as the cost and the trouble associated with indoors. For a healthy living, both the children and the adults must be engaged in the outdoor activities in the natural setting such as rivers, mountains and forests.

Komaroff, Anthony. A Prescription for Better Health: Go alfresco. Boston : Harvard Health Publications, 2012. Print.

Sisson, Mark. The Rich and Measurable Benefits of Spending More Time in Nature . Oxnard: Mark’s Daily Apple, 2012. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2020, March 11). Why Is It Important to Spend Time Outdoors. https://ivypanda.com/essays/benefits-of-spending-time-outdoor/

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IvyPanda . 2020. "Why Is It Important to Spend Time Outdoors." March 11, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/benefits-of-spending-time-outdoor/.

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Should i go back to school reasons the answer might be yes, how does outdoor exercises impact our health and well-being essay sample, example.

Noah Harris

Outdoor exercises

Outdoor exercises have become increasingly popular in recent years, and the reasons for this are clear. Regular physical activity has long been linked to improved health and well-being, and outdoor exercises offer a range of benefits that cannot be found in indoor activities. In this essay, I will explore how outdoor exercises impact our health and well-being, and why they are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

Firstly, outdoor exercises allow us to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and nature. Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve mood, which can have a positive impact on our mental health. Being outside also exposes us to natural sunlight, which is essential for the production of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in our immune system, bone health, and mental health, and being outside is an excellent way to boost our levels.

Secondly, outdoor exercises offer a wider range of activities than indoor exercises. Running, cycling, hiking, swimming, and kayaking are just a few examples of outdoor activities that can help us stay active and healthy. These activities not only provide cardiovascular exercise, but they also work different muscle groups, which can help us build strength and endurance. Outdoor exercises also tend to be more varied and engaging than indoor exercises, which can help us stay motivated and committed to our fitness goals.

Thirdly, outdoor exercises can help us connect with others and build social connections. Participating in outdoor activities such as group fitness classes, sports teams, or hiking groups can help us meet new people and build friendships. Having a social support network has been linked to improved mental health and well-being, and outdoor exercises can be a great way to build this support network.

Finally, outdoor exercises can help us develop a sense of adventure and exploration. Trying new outdoor activities can be a thrilling and exciting experience, and it can help us challenge ourselves and push our limits. This can boost our confidence and self-esteem, which can have a positive impact on all aspects of our lives.

In conclusion, outdoor exercises offer a range of benefits that can improve our health and well-being. From reducing stress and improving mood to building strength and endurance, outdoor activities are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. By incorporating outdoor exercises into our daily routines, we can enjoy the benefits of fresh air, nature, and social connections, and develop a sense of adventure and exploration that can help us lead fulfilling and enjoyable lives.

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What are some of the benefits of outdoor exercise?

Outdoor exercise has numerous benefits including improved cardiovascular health, increased energy levels, reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and better overall mental and physical health.

How does outdoor exercise impact mental health?

Outdoor exercise has been shown to improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and boosting self-esteem. It can also provide a break from the daily routine and help individuals feel more connected to nature and their surroundings.

Are there any specific outdoor exercises that are particularly beneficial?

Any form of outdoor exercise that gets your heart rate up and engages your muscles can be beneficial. Examples include hiking, cycling, swimming, running, and outdoor sports such as soccer or basketball.

Is outdoor exercise better than indoor exercise?

Both outdoor and indoor exercise have their benefits, but outdoor exercise has been shown to have additional benefits such as improved mood and increased vitamin D intake from sunlight exposure.

Can outdoor exercise help with weight loss?

Outdoor exercise can be a helpful tool for weight loss, as it can burn calories and improve overall fitness levels. However, it is important to also maintain a healthy diet to achieve weight loss goals.

Are there any downsides to outdoor exercise?

While outdoor exercise has numerous benefits, it is important to take precautions to protect yourself from environmental hazards such as extreme heat or cold, pollution, and UV radiation. It is also important to stay hydrated and wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen.

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Essay on Outdoor Games

Introduction.

Children love playing outdoors. It is good for children to stretch their arms and legs instead of sitting in front of the television all day. Through this essay on outdoor games, we will understand the importance of playing outdoors for children.

Outdoor games mainly refer to those games which we play outside in the open air. Since it is played outside, several factors like weather and time must be taken into consideration. It is not possible to play outdoor games when it is raining heavily or when it gets dark as children may fall sick or injure themselves. In this short essay on outdoor games, we will look at the benefits and types of outdoor games so that it will be effortless for children to write an essay on outdoor games in English.

Essay on Outdoor Games

Benefits of Outdoor Games

Just like the way children get to warm up themselves by playing outdoors, there are many advantages associated with outdoor games. We will discuss them here in this essay on outdoor games. The greatest benefit is to their physical health. While playing outdoors, they will be exposed to sunlight which is a rich source of vitamin D. This naturally improves their stamina and strengthens their bones and muscles.

As much as outdoor games help children to stay physically fit, they also keep them emotionally happy, free from tension or stress. We don’t have to worry about their lifestyle as outdoor games are meant to keep all problems at bay. This short essay on outdoor games also emphasises that outdoor games and activities help in the overall development of children. Along with learning to work in a team, these games build confidence in them.

Besides, outdoor games are a way for them to connect with their surroundings and nature, which will enable them to be conscious of protecting our environment . So, let us make our children admire the beauty of nature and help them attain mental peace and happiness through outdoor games.

Varieties of Outdoor Games

Any game or activity done in a group outside a house or in a large playground can be considered an outdoor game. The essay on outdoor games in English will discuss some of the favoured outdoor games of children.

Cricket, Badminton, Football, Marco Polo, Kabaddi , and Catch the Thief are widely played by children of all ages. These games keep them refreshed and relaxed, and they will be able to better focus and retain what they have learnt in class. So, let us make them aware of the significance of outdoor games through this essay on outdoor games. In this way, they will be able to write a simple paragraph about my favourite game.

By making them play outdoor games, we can develop their personality. For more such essays for kids, visit our website.

Frequently Asked Questions on Essay on Outdoor Games

What is the importance of outdoor games.

Outdoor games are essential for the holistic growth of our children. They must make it a routine to engage in outdoor activities and games to build their physical stamina and keep their minds stress-free.

How will this essay on outdoor games be useful for children?

With the help of this essay, children will be able to understand the different types of outdoor games and the benefits of playing them. This will also help them to write an essay on the topic.

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COMMENTS

  1. In 5-10 sentences,write important details about indoor and outdoor

    Outdoor activities help in improving physical fitness, increasing vitamin D levels, reducing stress, and promoting social interactions. Outdoor sports help in improving cardiovascular health, strength, agility, and coordination. Both indoor and outdoor recreations are crucial for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

  2. write ang essay about indoor and outdoor activities.include ...

    Outdoor recreation is a broad concept that encompasses a varying range of activities and landscapes. In Indoor activities there is nothing really much to do but surf in social media and listening to music, hanging out with friends watching movies and doing things that is relaxing and in Outdoor activities you can do so much like sports ...

  3. Indoor activities as my recreational activity because

    Certainly! When choosing indoor activities as your recreational activity, it could be due to various reasons: 1. **Weather**: Indoor activities can be preferred when outdoor conditions are not favorable, such as during extreme hot or cold weather, rain, or snow. This ensures that your recreational plans are not affected by the elements.

  4. Paragraph essay about indoor recreational activities

    Indoor games and activities are also beneficial to our health since they maintain our muscles and bones robust. It regulates blood flow in the body. Indoor games and exercises additionally have a significant impact in assisting us with dealing with the degree of Stress we have. The tomfoolery, bliss, and joy brings down the degree of stress and ...

  5. State the differences between indoor and outdoor recreational activities

    Indoor and outdoor recreational activities have distinct differences. Indoor activities are typically performed within enclosed spaces, such as a gymnasium, community center, or one's own home. They provide opportunities for physical exercise, entertainment, and skill development, regardless of the weather conditions outside. Examples of indoor ...

  6. Essay on Outdoor Activities

    Physical Benefits of Outdoor Activities. Spending time outdoors can significantly improve our physical health. Outdoor activities, such as walking, running, cycling, or gardening, help us burn calories, strengthen our muscles and bones, and boost our cardiovascular health. Regular exposure to sunlight also aids in the production of vitamin D ...

  7. Free Essay: indoor activity vs outdoor activity

    First, outdoor activities help people to be more healthier. For example, when people play baseball in the huge ball park, a huge ball park makes people move a lot and that helps people strengthen their body. And that helps people to be good for their mental health. There's saying " A sound in mind a sound in body.".

  8. The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all

    Additionally, outdoor activity shows greater improvements in mental health compared to indoor activity . Building on the health benefits of outdoor activity, including exposure to nature during outdoor activity, has a synergistic impact on markers of mental well-being and physiological markers . The study to date has identified changes in ...

  9. Why Is It Important to Spend Time Outdoors Essay

    Researches proof that engaging in outdoor activities is beneficial for the growth and development of the physical and mental wellbeing of an individual. In children, spending time outdoor prevents the emotional and behavioral disorders. A lot of research has been done to counter the claims that indoor activities play the same role as those by ...

  10. How does outdoor exercises impact our health and well-being? Essay

    Regular physical activity has long been linked to improved health and well-being, and outdoor exercises offer a range of benefits that cannot be found in indoor activities. In this essay, I will explore how outdoor exercises impact our health and well-being, and why they are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

  11. Write a short essay writing.Topic- Which is best indoor or outdoor

    There are a few differences between indoor and outdoor games that are outlined here. Both indoor and outdoor games contribute to the physical and growth of your child. Indoor games involve less physical movement when compared to outdoor activities. Undoubtedly, indoor activities make them intellectual and creative.

  12. Make an essay based on your experience from doing some of the ...

    Cyc C. ESSAY Make an essay based on your experience from doing some of the examples of indoor and Outdoor activities before the pandemic. It should be 3-5 sentences. See answer Advertisement

  13. Essay on Outdoor Games

    The essay on outdoor games in English will discuss some of the favoured outdoor games of children. Cricket, Badminton, Football, Marco Polo, Kabaddi, and Catch the Thief are widely played by children of all ages. These games keep them refreshed and relaxed, and they will be able to better focus and retain what they have learnt in class.

  14. Indoor Vs Outdoor Compare And Contrast Essay Speech Sample (400 Words

    At first, outdoor games give me more physical exercise than indoor games. I can do a lot of bodywork and movement in outdoor games. They would help me keep my cholesterol level in control and also keep me aloof from all kinds of cardiovascular problems. Second, these would give me a more of exposure to nature.

  15. Write a paragraph about activity you have done outside

    Outdoor activities help kids stay fit and active which will benefit them in the long run. They can ward off health problems like obesity and heart ailments later in life. Brainly · Installed. essay on importance of outdoor activities - Brainly.in. And plese follow. Explore all similar answers.

  16. "I'm writing a personal essay about outdoor activities ...

    Final answer: It is best to indirectly quote the main points of the conversation with the neighbor about ice fishing in the personal essay.. Explanation: In this case, it is best to indirectly quote the main points of the conversation with your neighbor about ice fishing.. Instead of quoting the whole conversation verbatim, you can summarize and paraphrase the main ideas that were discussed.

  17. If you wrote a paragraph about outdoor activities in your ...

    When writing about outdoor activities, the focus is typically on activities that take place outside, such as hiking, biking, picnicking, or playing sports in parks. Indoor activities like visiting museums or art galleries do not fit within the scope of outdoor activities and would not be included in a paragraph specifically about outdoor ...

  18. Essay on outdoor games are better than indoor games

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  19. Essay on Outdoor games?

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