The effectiveness of introducing a six week green exercise programme (a series of short countryside and urban park walks) for individuals experiencing a range of mental health problems was evaluated. The walking group was compared to two other Mind group programmes which were already in existence, including a swimming group (indoor exercise) and a social club (met indoors, but did not participate in any form of exercise). Key findings reported that all groups experienced a significant improvement in self-esteem, however, the change in self-esteem was significantly greater in the green exercise group compared to the social group (Figure 1).
All three groups also experienced a significant improvement in overall mood and feelings of anger, confusion, depression, fatigue and tension all decreased more in the green exercise and swimming groups compared to the social club. These findings imply that participating in exercise is the primary driver in positively enhancing mood, although engaging in sedentary social activities can also still contribute to an improved mood, highlighting the importance of the social contact. Thus, encouraging people to interact with greenspace and be active outdoors has a potentially therapeutic role in positively influencing emotional and physical well-being.
For more details of this work contact Dr Jo Barton
jobarton@essex.ac.uk
A personal testimony from
a participants Green Exercise experience....
In
August 2007 I was invited to join a Green Exercise Group organized by
SEPT to help with my anxieties/depression following all my previous
traumas. The course lasted for 6 weeks consisting of two hour weekly
sessions. We visited Thorndon Park, Brentwood in the company of a group
leader, Andy. We rambled on a different route each week whilst Andy
described the trees, their leaves and fruits. It opened up a whole new
world to me. I have always enjoyed walking but did not appreciate the
quiet beauty of nature I had been missing.
There was no
rushing. We were encouraged to absorb the atmosphere, to look at the
trees and their strengths. We felt and smelt their leaves and even
measured the circumference of an Oak Tree to ascertain its age. Even Oak
trees gain weight round their waist as they get older. Apparently the
Thames used to run through Thorndon Park and we ambled along the old
river bed footpath
We looked at the
sky, felt the wind and breezes on our faces. We watched the woodpeckers
and other birds. The squirrels scurried about. People were walking
dogs. We were part of something that had no monetary value but benefited
us in a way it is very hard to describe. It demanded nothing from me but
helped me to find an inner peace away from all the hustle and bustle of
life. As the sessions ended I felt my equilibrium had returned and I
smiled.
Since then when
distressed looking at trees calms me and I invariably smile. It helps me
absorb their strength, regain my composure and get things into
perspective. They have been there a lot longer than me and have gone
through terrible weather conditions and the like. I want and need to be
as strong as they are to help me move on with my life If only I could
remember all their
names. I wish more of the trees in my neighborhood were named. It would
make me feel closer to them and more like friends.
Having been asked
by Andy if I had ever tried writing poetry, I said no. It hadn’t
appealed to me as a child. That day I went home thinking perhaps I
should investigate this further. Since then I have written my own brand
of poetry depicting nature or even my feelings of anger or sadness. I
go out in the garden, a park or just by trees and write or think poetry
which helps me rationalise my thoughts in times of distress or
frustration. I condense my feelings into a few usually apt and powerful
words. I also watch the birds in my garden and smile at their antics. I
am getting better at recognising them now having acquired a book from
RSPB.
I hope to feel
this oneness with nature for the rest of my life using it to help me
self manage my vulnerabilities. Here are 2 of my poems:
MY TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE ON
GREEN
A
green environment gives me pleasure
A
time in which to reflect to treasure
To
ramble and walk at my leisure
And
give me time-out without measure
My
Green Exercise is sadly over
Having helped me to rediscover
The
real meaning of positivity
A
life including sensitivity
Encouragement and forward thinking
Lifting me up when I am sinking
What
have I learnt whilst attending?
What
message has it been sending?
I
need to use it to promote my advancement
Setting the stage for forward enhancement
I
hope I have learnt some very sound lessons
To
see me through future lonelier sessions
Nature embraces and makes me calm
Brings me peace, my nerves embalm
I
need to remember these tentative beginnings
To
give me hope and inspiration for future innings
RETIREMENT REVOLUTION
A new
life for me is long overdue
Now
having a holiday home I have my cue
To be
closer to nature and all its glory
Yes
this is the start of my exciting new story
It
may just only be a caravan
But
definitely not a charabanc
I am
in the woods and close to the sea
Within seconds I’m where I want to be
I
will stay there as often as time permits
To
learn and sate my enquiring wits
Observe how nature sets a steady pace
Not
opting for speed in a never ending race
I no
longer work so I am retired
My
brain doesn’t need to be hired or fired
I can
concentrate on what interests me
My
mind’s still as busy as a buzzing bee
If I
use nature to channel my thoughts
It
may stop me feeling I count for nought
Follow it to quietly study in earnest
And
inform my brain when it’s time to rest
After
all there’ll be no written test
