Physical health and wellbeing

Physical activity promotes health and can have a big impact on preventing or managing disease, so it’s important for people of all ages to exercise on a regular basis. Life expectancy, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental illness, and even quality of sleep improves when we increase our physical activity.

Australians are spending less time outdoors, and more time in sedentary activities than ever before. Less than a third of Australians aged 15 years and over are getting enough physical activity to benefit their health, and only 19% of 5 to 17-year-olds are meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines.
Research shows that exercising in nature leads to greater health benefits than doing the same activity indoors. Also, people tend to exercise for longer and at greater intensity in nature. Outdoor exercise supports your overall health and wellbeing as it is great for reducing stress, improving memory and brain function, mood and concentration, and reducing stress and anxiety. Outdoor exercise doesn’t have to be intensive or done in remote forests either. Gentle activity such as walking or volunteering in your local park will increase the amount of exercise in your weekly routine without putting undue stress on your body or being difficult to get to. If you have set fitness goals, you can slowly work your way up by taking on more intensive activities as your health and fitness improves. You could even challenge yourself to do an outdoor activity you’ve never tried before, such as an overnight hike, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, or cycling. The opportunities are endless, and you’ll have fun and learn new skills, all while improving your health!

Note: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program or activity.