PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN NATURE: A WAY TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/NPU-VOU.2024.4(95).09Keywords:
physical activity, natural environment, psychological state, anxiety, stress, mental health, physical educationAbstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of the impact of physical activity in a natural environment on a person’s psychological state, in particular on the level of anxiety and stress. The work substantiates that physical exercises in the fresh air have unique benefits for mental health due to the combination of physical activity with the positive impact of the natural environment. A review of scientific studies shows that regular exposure to nature helps to reduce the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, improve mood, and reduce symptoms of anxiety. Possible mechanisms through which nature affects the emotional state are considered, such as restoring cognitive resources, increasing attention, and forming a positive worldview. The conclusions of the work emphasize the importance of integrating physical activities in a natural environment into mental health practices, in particular in the field of prevention and treatment of stress and anxiety disorders.
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