02 Mar Is social exercise the key to a longer – and happier – life?
When it comes to happiness we know exercise is beneficial.
When it comes to happiness we know socialising is beneficial.
What if we were to combine them and create social exercise …
via Advnture by Julia Clarke
When I’m weighing up whether to hit the hiking trail or go for a run by myself or with a friend, most of the time my decision comes down to simple logistics. Group hiking and running with a partner is a great way to socialize, but most of my adventures take place without much planning because I wake up, the weather looks good and I can make it fit with my day. Do I really have time to start calling round to see who’s available, negotiate a trail that suits everyone and figure out a meeting point? Usually, the answer is no, especially when it’s winter in Scotland and daylight hours are in short supply.
It’s often just easier to lace up my hiking boots or trail running shoes and head out the door without any fuss, and I’ve long figured that I’m getting loads of benefits from green exercise even if I’m not socializing. But two new studies published this month in the British Medical Journal suggest that social exercise could be the key to a longer – and happier – life, and it has me thinking I need to pick up the phone more often. Though one study focuses on the benefits of exercise while the other implicates socializing in extending life expectancy, taken together, there’s a persuasive argument for doing more social exercise, whether that means hiking with a group or joining that running club…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE