'Five minutes of outdoor exercise works wonders'

FORGET the gym, exercising in the open air is much better for your health than hitting the treadmill indoors, according to new research.

Just five minutes of "green exercise" – such as working out in a park or back garden – leads to an immediate boost in mood and self-esteem.

Scientists are calling for doctors to prescribe exercise in the open air for people who suffer from mental illness.

Dr Jo Barton, a sports scientist, who conducted the study for the University of Essex, said physical activity in a green setting could help protect against health threats in the future and even increase our life expectancy.

Scientific evidence shows that activity in natural areas decreases the risk of mental illness and improves the sense of well-being.

But until now, nobody knew how much green-space time it took people to get those and other benefits, according to Dr Barton. He added:

"The study showed there was a significant rise in people's self-esteem and mood, when they exercised in the wilderness or by water."

The findings are published in The Journal of the American Chemical Society.