Outdoor Exercise In Relation To Depression, Anxiety, Stress, And Quality Of Life In College Students

BACKGROUND: Outdoor exercise has been shown to reduce stress and mental fatigue and increase the ability to cope with stress. It has also been shown to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) and increase quality of life (QOL). One of the most vulnerable populations for mental fatigue, stress, and depression is college students, and research has demonstrated that college students are spending more time being sedentary and less time outside. Understanding the effects of outdoor exercise on college students may help universities and colleges actively promote outdoor exercise and use this lifestyle change to improve students’ overall well-being. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between time spent participating in outdoor exercise and depression, anxiety, stress (DAS), and quality of life (QOL) in college students. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-two participants (18-25 years) completed an online questionnaire which included the following sections: 1) Demographics, 2) Exercise Habits, 3) Affinity for Nature Scale, 4) Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and 5) QOL Questionnaire. This survey included 66 questions with a 14-minute response time. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to investigate the relationships between outdoor exercise frequency (OEF), affinity for nature (AFN), depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS), and QOL. RESULTS: Significant correlations were seen between OEF and DAS (r = -0.552, p < 0.001) and between OEF and QOL (r = 0.519, p < 0.001). Significant correlations were also seen between OEF and AFN (r = 0.491, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Students who enjoyed being in nature also spent more time participating in outdoor exercise, though a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be determined; however, the current study also showed a significant relationship between: 1.) OEF and DAS, and 2.) OEF and QOL. This demonstrates that students who spend more time exercising outside also experience decreased symptoms of DAS and a greater QOL. These results indicate a strong justification for prescribing outdoor exercise to college students who may be struggling with DAS. Outdoor exercise may also be an effective first line of defense for these students before prescribing medication.