Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Regular exercise in green spaces can significantly improve physical and mental health, increase productivity, and enhance overall quality of life, according to medical experts, who say that parks and outdoor environments should be viewed as an essential part of preventive healthcare.
Dr Qudsia Anjum Fasih, family medicine specialist at the Burjeel Day Surgery Center in Al Shahama, said that while people of all ages benefit from physical activity and access to green areas, youngsters and older folks stand to gain the most.
"For children, spending time outdoors encourages physical activity, supports healthy development, and reduces screen time. For older adults, regular walks in parks or green spaces can improve mobility, balance, heart health, and mental wellbeing. Even working adults benefit by reducing stress and improving their overall physical fitness," Dr Fasih said.
Regular outdoor exercise, she pointed out, is linked to quantifiable benefits in health markers, such as lowered blood pressure, improved sleep quality, better weight management, and a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, it has a significant impact in lowering tension, anxiety and depressive symptoms.
"Even a 30-minute brisk walk most days of the week can make a noticeable difference to both physical and emotional well-being."
According to Dr Fasih, green spaces should be considered an investment in preventive healthcare.
"In the UAE, features such as shade, evening lighting, and accessible facilities are especially important due to the climate. These investments can help reduce lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, while promoting healthier communities."
'Green Exercise'
Despite growing urbanisation decreasing people's interaction with environment, Dr Damanjit Kaur, Specialist Psychiatrist at Medeor Hospital Dubai, stated that there is substantial scientific evidence linking access to local green areas with better mental health and quality of life.
She noted that engaging in physical activity in natural settings, sometimes known as "green exercise", has been linked to noticeably improved psychological results.
"It has been reported that people who use the natural environment for physical activity at least once per week have about half the risk of poor mental health compared with those who do not do so, and each extra weekly use of the natural environment for physical activity reduces the risk of poor mental health by a further 6%."
She also cited a study from researchers at the University of Copenhagen and the University of Verona, published in September 2025, which found that exercising in green surroundings improves mood, reduces stress levels, and improves heart rate compared to exercising in the city or indoors.
"Participants rated nature as clearly the most recharging, and they experienced more positive emotions, such as joy, satisfaction, and optimism, than in both urban and indoor environments. Feelings of boredom increased after a walk indoors, while they decreased in nature,” Dr Kaur said.
"The feeling of calm was also highest in nature, while it decreased indoors. Simply replacing one indoor activity with a 30-minute outdoor workout has significant physical and mental benefits."
