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The 5 Minutes A Day That Can Change Your Life

If you've struggled with the blues, you've probably already heard how time spent outdoors exercising can improve your mental health. From the sleep-regulating effects of sunlight to exercise's mood-enhancing endorphins, studies consistently boast the psychological effects of playing outdoors. But scheduling time for outside recreation (not to mention the 30-minute, five days per week exercise regime recommended by health experts) can seem next to impossible, particularly if you're already feeling less than motivated.

Fortunately, a new analysis published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has promising findings for people who can't manage much time in the great outdoors. British researchers found that just five minutes of "green exercise" provides an optimal increase in mood and self-esteem.

Even better: The five-minute activity need not be particularly vigorous to be effective. In fact, low-intensity activities such as walking and gardening actually had better outcomes than high-intensity activities such as running.

Participants of all ages were found to benefit from green exercise, with the best results occurring in the young and mentally ill. Green environments including urban parks were all found to be effective settings, with green areas that also had water showing even better outcomes.

So how can you reap the benefits of green exercise in just five minutes?