Citation: Evans, Linsay. "Physical, Social, Emotional & Intellectual Benefits of Outdoor Recreation." Healthy Living - Azcentral.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.

1. Physical Benefits
Regular outdoor activity provides a number of physical benefits,
including lower blood pressure, reduced arthritis pain, weight loss and
lowered risk of diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis and
cardiovascular disease. Getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise –
such as biking or brisk walking– or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise
each week– such as hiking or cross-country skiing– help maintain a
healthy weight and reduce risk of chronic disease, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2009 study in the
“Journal of Park and Recreation Administration” found a correlation
between access to outdoor recreational spaces and overweight,
obesity and adults’ physical activity levels. Specifically, less-active and
more overweight adults spent less time participating in non-motorized
physical activities in recreational areas.

2. Social Benefits

4. Emotional Benefits
Both physical activity and outdoor settings reduce
stress, anxiety and depression. Spending time
exercising in a park leads to an increase in positive
moods and a reduction in cortisol levels, a hormone
released when the body feels stress. Similarly,
increased access to green space for activities such as
walking decreases stress– especially for children,
according to Cornell University environmental
psychologist Nancy Wells.