The outdoors is good for you, reveal new studies

Anyone who walks or gets out in the great outdoors every now and then will know the benefits to their physical and mental health. Now two new studies reveal more about the good that comes from time in the open air.

Essex University has found that as little as five minutes of "green exercise" can have significant mental health benefits. Green exercise is outdoors exercise, including walking and cycling. Of course, most of us will want to be enjoying our green exercise for a lot longer than five minutes but it just goes to show that even a short time outdoors in sunlight being active each day is good for our minds.

This study, as well as many others, show that a daily walk in daylight can boost feel-good emotions that keep the blues away.

So it's now wonder that a National Trust survey produced such startling statistics about nature and happiness. Trust survey, which was commissioned as part of the National Trust's inquiry into public access and enjoyment of the outdoors, asked 1,294 UK adults about their connection with nature.

Some 80 per cent of the happiest people in the UK said they have a strong connection with nature, compared with just 37 per cent of the unhappiest.

We're feeling spring in the air - and more time for making the most of our fabulous Scottish outdoors playground. If you're stuck for ideas then give Glentrek a call. We have a wealth of walks, both guided and self-guided, on offer in 2011.