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The great outdoors
When was the last time you went out for a walk? Did you stop in a nice park on the way? Or did a bench with a beautiful view invite you to sit and take a breather?
Outdoor spaces impact our well-being. Just by going outside and exercising, we are doing something good for our health. When our senses like what they perceive, it fills us with positive emotions. However, it is not easy to explain the science behind the effects on our health. There have been various findings on how our environment influences us.
In this article, we offer a range of tips on how your living and working environment or a trip to a beauty spot can help you lead a healthy life. Plus, we reveal how you can become an expert in finding your own “places of power”.
Location, location, location
Perhaps you have a favourite spot that you like to visit. This might be outside in your neighbourhood, in a city, the countryside, the mountains, a forest or by a lake. There are probably as many favourite spots as there are people.
For many, green spaces and bodies of water help them to relax and boost their well-being. These days, green spaces and water are hard to come by in the places where we live. Luckily, other positive aspects can improve our well-being. A good atmosphere, for example through distinctive architecture or a beautiful fountain, promotes positive feelings. The availability and arrangement of facilities for sitting and playing, as well as multifunctional outdoor spaces for people of all ages, also have a positive effect. It is important that inviting recreational areas can be accessed easily and safely on foot or by bike and are not spoilt by noisy traffic. Even if all the criteria are not met, there is surely a spot in your neighbourhood or place of work that you can visit for a quick breather from everyday life. We hope you enjoy exploring your neighbourhood in search of your special spot.
But maybe you want more. Maybe you think you, and your neighbourhood, would benefit from a small garden or natural meadow. If so, try looking for like-minded neighbours. You will be sure to find them, as more and more urban gardens and small parks are popping up thanks to committed people and tree planting campaigns. These days, property managers and public authorities are much more open to theses kinds of requests, as green spaces also counteract heat island effects in neighbourhoods.
Another idea is to look online for “places of power” in Switzerland and visit them on a hike.
For example, the insurance company CSS has compiled a list of “sites of natural energy” on its website.
Physical activity and social interaction
Being outside naturally means moving. When we set off on foot or take our bike, we have already made a great choice for our health, body and mind. It is scientifically recognised and proven that regular exercise has a wide range of benefits and a positive effect on our bone health, weight and mental capacity, while curbing chronic diseases and maintaining functional skills in old age, for example. So why not give it a try? How about getting off one stop earlier when travelling by public transport? Instead of driving to a nearby restaurant, leave your car in the garage and walk. That way, your food can digest on the way home too. You can also go grocery shopping on foot with the help of a shopping trolley.
In addition to exercise, being outside offers a low-effort opportunity to socialise. With a bit of luck, you might bump into one or two people you know, resulting in a lively conversation that makes you happy. Even just the sight of children playing happily can boost your well-being, for example.
Sensations
Our senses play an essential role in how we inhabit outdoor spaces. Your motive for going outside can be as simple as having to run an errand, for example. But you often need greater incentives to walk or go by bike, rather than taking the car. You have surely smelt the enticing scent of a linden tree on a summer’s walk. Feel the play of light and shadow on your skin as you stand under a row of trees. Stop and listen to the soothing ripple of a fountain as you go past. If you make yourself aware of these sensations, it can really boost your well-being. We hope you have fun discovering the great outdoors with all your senses.
Promoting health in the Canton of Zug
As part of our work promoting health in the Canton of Zug, we try to create attractive spaces for exercising and socialising. This involves making safe paths for pedestrians and cyclists, for example. We also promote the creation of green spaces that bring together people of all ages, as well as engaging school playgrounds.
Conclusion
We have talked about how landscape design, physical activity, social interaction and your senses can influence your well-being. Movement, mindfulness, curiosity, socialising and appreciating the beauty in life all do wonders for your well-being.
Which step, both figuratively and literally, will you take first? Choose one of our suggestions and start small.
References
Bauer, N., Roe, J., & Martens, D. (2016). Der Einfluss von physischer Umwelt auf den Menschen: Erholung, Wohlbefinden, Gesundheit und Lebensqualität. Einführung in das Schwerpunktthema. Umweltpsychologie, 20(2), 3-14.
Bundesamt für Sport BASPO (Federal Office of Sport), Bundesamt für Gesundheit BAG (Federal Office of Public Health), Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz (Health Promotion Switzerland), Beratungsstelle für Unfallverhütung BFU (Swiss Council for Accident Prevention), Netzwerk Gesundheit und Bewegung Schweiz hepa (Swiss Health and Exercise Network HEPA). (2022). Bewegungsempfehlungen Schweiz. Grundlagen. Magglingen: BASPO. Bewegungsempfehlungen (hepa.ch)
Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung ARE (Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE) (Ed.) (2022). Raum und Gesundheit. Wohlbefinden durch gute Planung. forum raumentwicklung 01/2022. Bern. https://www.are.admin.ch/are/de/home/medien-und-publikationen/forum-raumentwicklung/forum-raumentwicklung-1-22.html
de Botton, A. (2008). Glück und Architektur. Von der Kunst, daheim zu Hause zu sein. Frankfurt am Main: S. Fischer Verlag GmbH.
Flade, A. (2018). Zurück zur Natur? Erkenntnisse und Konzepte der Naturpsychologie. Wiesbaden: Springer.
Gander, M. (2015). AussenraumQualitäten – AussenraumRealitäten. Gestaltungsprinzipien für Planung und Architektur. Zurich: vdf Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zürich.
Gifford, R. (2014). Environmental Psychology: Principles and Practice (5th ed.). Colville: Optimal Books.
