Exercise and physical activity

Whether it's a calm walk in the woods, a heart-pumping jog, or a relaxing yoga session, staying active adds joy and energy to your daily life. Physical activity also offers a wonderful way to spend time with loved ones, meet new people, and discover new hobbies. So, get moving and let your mind and body enjoy the well-being that comes with it!

Wellbeing from nature

Did you know that moving around in nature reduces stress, improves mood and is a great way to exercise? In just a few minutes, the restorative and stress-relieving effects of nature begin to affect your body.

Moving in nature has been shown to have positive effects on our overall well-being, but the benefits do not just come from exercise. Nature supports physical, psychological and social health in a holistic way.

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You can also search your area's outdoor and nature services through a search engine.

Search for nature services

Nature and movement outdoors as part of wellbeing

What does nature mean to you and what is a significant nature experience for you? Exercise and nature support health. The combination of the two, namely nature exercise, seems to support mental well-being most effectively.

It has been proven that a strong relationship with nature increases happiness. By recognising nature’s beneficial effects on you, you will get more joy from nature. Some of us like to enjoy nature on our own, others in the company of others, and others in varying ways.

All ways of enjoying nature are equally valuable and beneficial. By yourself, you can calm down, slow down and ground yourself in the hectic pace of everyday life. Spending time with others can provide you with the shared joy of exercise, good company and, if needed, security and encouragement to get moving. On this page, you will find information on how a nature connection can improve your overall health as well as provide ways to benefit from the opportunities nature has to offer.

Are you looking for nature services and activities?

You can enjoy nature near or far, on your own in silence or in a guided group. In addition to forests, parks, lakes and the sea, you can also make the most of your own home garden: tending your plants is rewarding and the harvest will hopefully bring you joy. Almost all of us in Western Uusimaa live close to nature. There are plenty of places to visit in the region, and we will tell you more about them in this section.

Any forest that makes one feel relaxed is a health forest for those who move in it. For many, sea views and the proximity of the beach and water are relaxing and restorative environments.

On Metsähallitus’ Luontoon.fi(external link), you can find local trails, the most popular outdoor recreation areas and information on national parks and conservation areas.

The UUVI website(external link) compiles nature hiking destinations in Uusimaa.

Get out into the local nature

You do not have to go far to enjoy the health benefits of nature as local nature is the most significant for your health. You can also plan your route to work or school so that you get an unnoticed exposure to nature as part of your daily commute.

On the Lipas(external link) website, you can see a map view of the sports facilities in your area.

You can make the well-being benefits of nature part of your daily life also when you cannot access physical nature, for example, with a virtual tour of a national park or a guided nature trail:

Virtual tour in Leivonmäki National Park(external link)
Virtual forest walk for a good mood (in Finnish)(external link)

You can watch nature videos of forest sounds, birds singing and water flowing by clicking on the links below:

Nature sounds - MAPPA.fi(external link)
Nature sounds of the week – Elävä arkisto – yle.fi (in Finnish)(external link)

Moving around in forests and natural landscapes lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, improves mood and strengthens immunity. In fact, it has been shown that actively seeking contact with nature and regularly spending time in nature supports overall health. Nature also provides opportunities for mindful presence and observation. Just 15–20 minutes in nature can help lower blood pressure and improve concentration and learning ability.

The well-being from nature self-help programme can help you improve your well-being if you are in a difficult life situation or under stress. The programme is free of charge, does not require registration and is available to you at any time.

Calm down in your happy place

If you are feeling stressed, go to your happy place. Nature offers opportunities for mindful presence. Focus on things like listening to the sounds around you and feeling the breeze on your skin. What do you see, hear and feel, what smells do you notice?

Observe from afar, explore up close. Nature provides stimuli for all the senses. Your happy place can also come to you. You can use photos, soundscapes and scents to go on imaginary journeys. You can also travel through conversations: tell a friend about your favourite place, and then listen to what kind of landscape they enjoy most. The place may change depending on your mood.

Green Care Finland(external link) develops nature-assisted activities as part of welfare and health services. From the Services section (in Finnish)(external link), you will find entrepreneurs and service providers in this field.

Support for healthcare from nature:

Nature and well-being - Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland(external link)

Nature and exercise | Finnish Brain Association (external link)

Exercise - Free from cancer(external link)

Exercise - Finnish Rheumatism Association(external link)

Exercise and physical activity

Wellbeing from nature

Search for activities and services

Nature and movement outdoors as part of wellbeing

Are you looking for nature services and activities?

Natural areas and hiking trails

Nature exercise and events

Virtual nature experiences

Information on the health benefits of nature

Nature as part of rehabilitation and healthcare.