10 REASONS TO... EXERCISE AL FRESCO

1 VITAMIN D BOOSTER All exercise is good for us, but doing it outdoors has a raft of additional health benefits. The NHS has released new guidelines saying that we should ALL be taking supplements of Vitamin D, crucial for bone health and dubbed ‘the sunshine vitamin’ because it is made by the skin in response to sunlight. But just 20 minutes of sun-to-skin-time per day gives the recommended dose – enough time for a jog round the block. 2 YOU’LL BE HAPPIER A study has found that jogging in a natural environment such as a park or forest is twice as good for mental health as a trip to the gym. Researchers from Glasgow University quizzed 2,000 people and found that being around greenery lowered stress levels, potentially due to fresh air and increased oxygen helping release the feelgood brain chemical serotonin. 3 ...AND LESS ANGRY A Japanese study of the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku, which translated into English roughly means ‘taking in forest atmosphere’, found that outdoor exercise was associated with increased energy and revitalisation, as well as decreased levels of anger. 4 YOU’LL WORK HARDER Gym machines, such as treadmills and rowers, are doing some of the work for you. Experts say that an outdoor routine will increase your workload by between two and ten per cent, thanks to uneven ground, inclines, wind resistance and temperature. 5 ...AND FOR LONGER About 50 per cent of gym members leave after the first year, while outside exercisers keep up a more consistent routine. 6 BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY Exposure to plants and trees can improve your immune system. Experts believe that airborne chemicals emitted by plants to protect themselves from fungus, bacteria and insects may also be beneficial to humans. 7 SHARPEN YOUR THINKING A US study of children with ADHD found that a 20-minute walk outside in a natural environment boosted their ability to concentrate, while a study from Stanford University found that people were able to come up with more creative solutions to problems in the eight minutes after taking a walk, compared to when sitting down. 8 AVOID GYM BUGS Research earlier this year found that the average gym weight carries 362 times as many bacteria as a toilet seat – and microbiologists say that moist, sweaty gyms can be a breeding ground for germs and illness, from athlete’s foot to flu, and they suggest taking anti-bacterial wipes with you. 9 IMPROVE SELF-ESTEEM Research from the University of Essex found that exercising in nature can make you feel better about yourself. Evidence from 1,250 people in ten studies found the strongest impact was on young people and the mentally ill. 10 ...AND YOUR BALANCE Being outdoors increases your proprioception – body awareness. A study conducted at the Oregon Research Institute found that walking on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones, significantly improved balance in adults over the age of 60.