Scottish Daily Mail

Fresh air stops us feeling blue

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A BREATH of fresh air is not just healthy, it can help us feel better about ourselves.

Those who spend more time outside view their looks more positively and have higher self-esteem, scientists found.

It could mean those with eating disorders will be told to spend more time outdoors doing activities such as hiking or camping.

Previous studies have shown those living near green spaces are more satisfied with their lives and suffer less from mental distress than those who do not.

The study of 199 women and 200 men aged between 19 and 76 from the US was led by Viren Swami, a Social Psychology professor at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

He said experienci­ng natural environmen­ts could help people feel less influenced by social pressure and lessen the need to conform to physical ideals such as being thin or muscular.

For the research, participan­ts in an online survey were asked how strongly they agreed, on a scale of 1 to 5, with a set of questions about their body image.

Professor Swami said further studies were needed to confirm his findings.

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