To fix what ails you, take your workout outside. New research from England’s University of Essex finds that just five minutes of "green exercise"—cycling, gardening, fishing—can boost your mood and self-esteem.
The study jibes with previous research showing that outdoor walks battle depression better than mall walks do. Add to that the other benefits of outdoor activity—greater exposure to health-promoting vitamin D (from the sun), enhanced cognitive functioning, increased compassion (test subjects were more considerate after viewing images of nature)—and more time outside could mean spending less time in a doctor’s office.
