6 Science-Backed Reasons Outdoor Exercise Is So Much Better For You

Here are six science-backed reasons taking your workout outside is so much better for you:

Think you need a lush forest or a nearby beach to reap the benefits of outdoor exercise? Think again. A 2015 study out of Stanford University found that students who walked through a campus park for an hour were less anxious than those who didn't, and a study published last year found that simply looking at pictures1 of greenery improves happiness. In other words, all you need is a few trees and a sturdy pair of shoes for a mood boost. Plus, people who exercise outside actually enjoy it more.

While running inside on a treadmill is infinitely better than not exercising at all, you'll likely get a stronger workout in if you take it outside. In a study2 on running indoors versus outdoors, researchers found that outdoor exercisers exert more energy to cover the same amount of distance as treadmill runners, indicating that if the goal is physical fitness, outdoor workouts are the way to go.

If you haven't heard of forest bathing, you're missing out. The decades-old Japanese practice encourages people to get outside and take a walk in nature not just for the mental health benefits but because it improves the immune system. "Trees shower (or bathe) themselves in an antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial compound called phytoncides," explains Ben Page founder of Shinrin Yoku LA. "This is how trees combat disease. When humans inhale these phytoncides, it triggers the human body to produce a specialized white blood cell called NK cells, or Natural Killer cells." These NK cells then attack cancerous and tumorous growths in the body, improving immune strength.

Want to live longer? Outdoor exercise can help with that. A study published3 in PubMed found that immersing yourself in nature lowers cortisol, pulse rate, and blood pressure. That's an impressive fix.

Here's one benefit of outdoor exercise that often gets ignored: If you're exercising outside, you're more likely to do it in a group. Think hikes, running groups, and after-dinner walks with your partner. When one Austrian study found that people enjoy outdoor workouts more, psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo, psychotherapist and author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love, said this finding was probably related to the fact that people in the study worked out with others. "Social interactions also lessen stress and increase happiness."

Inspired to take your workout outdoors? Read up on how to start running again when all you've been doing is yoga.