I worked out with Club Pilates on a sun-kissed LA rooftop last week, and it was pretty exhilarating and energizing feeling the breeze on my face. I enjoy outdoor workouts in general because you’re getting some time in nature, some sunlight, or maybe a view of the sunset in the distance. Even a simple run around my neighborhood, past the rose bushes and the sweeping tall oak trees, tends to perk up my mood more than working out indoors.
Being outside means facing both the natural elements and the beauty. As I scribbled in one of my poems, “even nature’s fury is woven with beauty.” Awakening the creativity within me. Okay, I’m not writing another poem here; I’m delving into the interesting science on whether exercising or walking outdoors is even better for your brain. For me, I’d say the answer is a resounding yes.
Relaxing your brain and sharpening focus
In a study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology, researchers wanted to explore whether physical activity in the presence of nature can lead to mental health benefits, like lowering stress and anxiety levels and improving the overall psychological state, compared to indoor movement.
The study authors wanted to understand the brain mechanisms of 30 participants and compare the effects of self-paced walking along a green outdoor trail with self-paced walking on a treadmill facing a wall. Participants wore a special cap to measure their brainwaves and self-reported their psychological states at various time points during the exercise trials.
Increase brainwaves associated with relaxation
Walking outdoors and on the treadmill influenced the majority of psychological and psychophysiological parameters and evoked positive emotions. Interestingly, the researchers revealed that walking outdoors prompted a bigger increase in the brainwaves associated with relaxation compared to walking indoors on the treadmill. Those who walked outdoors on the trail dotted with trees showed more significant connectivity between the areas of the brain associated with attention, sensory perception, and reasoning. The researchers concluded that the individuals who walked outside had better focus on the current moment.
Boost your brain power
Another study published in the journal Scientific Reports involved 30 participants and showed that a brief walk outside leads to a larger increase in cognitive function compared to a short walk indoors. The researchers pointed out that time spent in natural outdoor environments has been shown to increase cognition similarly to acute exercise, so combining both exercise and the great outdoors provides even more benefits.
The power of a 15-minute walk outside
The researchers concluded that following a 15-minute walk outside, participants experienced improved performance and an increase in P300 amplitude — the neural response commonly associated with working memory and attention span. These results weren’t seen after the 15-minute walk inside. So, the science shows that exercising or even taking a 15-minute walk outside could sharpen your brain, lower your stress, and help you feel more alert and ready to take on the rest of your day. Excuse me while I go take a walk.
