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Get Outside

‘Green’ your walk for extra health benefits!

By

Staying Sharp

Updated April 07, 2023

Updated April 07, 2023

A man walking with a cane in a park in a city

Westend61/Getty Images

Quick Win

Take a walk on the wild side — or in a tree-lined park — for all the benefits of physical activity, plus an extra dose of stress relief.

Try This Today

Pick your spot. A tree-filled park, beach or hiking trail all make for a great nature walk. If you’re stumped, look online to find a popular route. Seek out a paved trail if you’re concerned about the terrain.
Tune in. Don’t wear earbuds for this walk. Take in the sounds around you: the birdsong, leaves rustling or crashing waves.
Keep it up. Plan your next nature walk.

Why

Both physical activity and spending time outdoors are good for health — and they’re a natural fit! Exercise itself has been shown to help relieve stress and improve mood, and taking your workout outside may amplify those benefits. In a study of 38 people ages 18 to 25, participants reported the most positive mental health benefits after walking on a forest path, rather than on a busy road or after a day of normal daily activities. The research was reported in 2019 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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