Mental Health News
A team of researchers at Anglia Ruskin University delved into the benefits of winter walking. The study is published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
The Study
The researchers surveyed 87 women, with an average age of 24, who attempted to stay fit with winter walking. The participants, before and after walking in the snow in a woodland, completed a series of questionnaires about body appreciation, connectedness to nature, and self-compassion.
The Findings
The results revealed the health benefits of winter walks. It was found that a brief walk in the cold in “white spaces” enhances connectedness to nature and self-compassion. This, in turn, boosts body appreciation and reduces risks of body dysmorphia or body image issues.
The authors added: “Our findings demonstrate the importance of ensuring that everyone can access restorative natural environments, which may be a cost-effective way of promoting healthier body image, and highlight that there are significant benefits of being outside in nature, whatever the weather.”
To Know More You May Refer To
Czepczor-Bernat, K., Modrzejewska, J., Modrzejewska, A., & Swami, V. (2022). The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(21), 14548. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114548