Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:29 — 8.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Email | Deezer | RSS | More
Ever heard of green exercise? Me, neither! Listen in to today’s podcast and decide what your favorite green exercise is!
What IS Green Exercise?
“I think I know why I escape to Alaska every summer,” I told a friend recently.
“Yeah. Your grandson lives there. It took you five years to figure that out?”
I laughed. “No, not just because my grandson lives there. It’s because it’s so hot in Arizona I have no desire to walk out the door all summer long.”
“And it snows all summer in Alaska,” she joked.
“No, but it’s so green. Alaska gets heat waves, too, but they don’t happen very often. A summer full of gorgeous weather, towering green trees, wildflowers galore, aqua water, and family. What more could a gal ask for?”
She shuddered slightly. “Not to mention bears, mosquitos, rain to make all those green trees, and cooler temperatures. Nope, give me the desert heat any day.”
I know my friend gets outside in the heat and enjoys every moment of burning sun. We both have the right idea, even if we require different climates to carry it out. It has a name: Tree bathing. Green exercise. Blue exercise.
All of these terms share the same essence (not just the smell of fresh air). Exercise matters, but so does WHERE we exercise. I never really understood the difference until I had to limit my exercising to riding a stationary bicycle indoors for two months.
In today’s podcast I’ll sure some information about green exercise and how it can improve our physical health. I’ll end with actionable hacks to help you get started on increasing your green exercise (even if it’s outside in the red desert).
What’s your favorite type of green exercise?
Show Notes
Check out the FREE Self-Care Checklist to help you discover your why.
You can find more research on green and blue exercise here, here, and here.

Come Back Next Week
Join me next week when I explore the connection between spiritual health and getting enough exercise.
Healthy people and unhealthy people have the same number of hours in each day. #selfcarehacks #greenexercise #optoutside Click To Tweet- Welcome to the Inspire Me Monday Community! The link-up opens Sundays at 4 pm, Arizona time.
- Link up your family-friendly inspirational posts (no more than two, please).
- Visit the person who links up BOTH before you and after you and leave a comment. This helps keep our community vibrant!
Outdoor exercise is like a double bonus–movement plus fresh air!
Michele+Morin recently posted…The Best Father’s Day Gift: A Loving Dad
I enjoy the green trees and blue skies, Anita! I have to admit, these terms are new to me: tree bathing, green exercise, blue exercise. My favorite green exercise is piddling in the flower garden, but I also enjoy our daily morning walk.
Lisa Blair recently posted…5 Ways to Overcome Our Fears
Wonderful information here and story! I have been walking daily and it feels so good!
I love long walks in the country or in the words!
Barb Hegreberg recently posted…The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional (New Ways to Pray for Yourself, Your Husband & Your Marriage) by Stormie Omartian
My favorite green exercise is walking the trail around our beloved Arrowhead Lake. It’s so hard finding the time to get there; but so worth it.
Jerralea Winn Miller recently posted…Your Environment Matters More Than You Know
I really enjoy outdoor walks and look forward to being able to do that more soon – I’m having a knee replacement in a couple weeks and a couple of my goals are being able to safely go on walks down our country road and being able to hike the nearby mountain and forest trails again.
Kym recently posted…I Spy #76
What a great post, Anita! We just returned from a 4 day camping trip at a music festival and I finally had the opportunity to do early morning yoga outdoors. I have been wanting to try it. I was up way before any of the other campers and took my mat to the top of a hill where I did yoga at sunrise. It was my favorite yoga practice ever! It is a very different experience from yoga in my living room or anywhere else indoors.
Shelbee
I have never heard the term “green exercise” but moving outdoors has become my favorite. Except right now – it’s way too hot in Texas!
Lauren Renee Sparks recently posted…Elbow Surgery and My One Word
There’s something about walking outdoors that draws me closer to God – and more enriched quiet time with Him than in a gym!
My favourite outdoor gym is by the waterfront Anita. Absolutely beautiful 😊
Blessings,
Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…The journey ahead may look scary…
I believe that nature and the outdoors is crucial for our mental health 🙂 Even if we are just sitting in it and not exercising.
Carla Corelli recently posted…Can You Get PTSD From Narcissistic Abuse? The Toxic Impact of the Narcissist
You had me at “green” and “walking” which I have done for years. I make walking daily a priority, although it’s harder in winter I admit. I say it is a gift I give myself and those who love me. It’s my prayer time with my Father so it’s preferably a solo event.
Love that quote, Anita! We all have the same hours….let us be wise in how we use them!
Amy Jung recently posted…What Is My Knee-Jerk Response to the Feeling of Anger?