Being Outside Is Good For Your Health—But Does Golf Count?
There are many health benefits of spending time in nature—but what exactly does that mean?
There are many health benefits of spending time in nature—but what exactly does that mean?
In response to our recent story about the health benefits of spending time in nature, readers wanted to know: What type of nature counts?
Lots of studies indicate it is good for you to spend time in the woods. But what about the beach? The garden? On a motorcycle? What about a golf course? What if you don’t walk the golf course but ride in a cart? What if you’re having a really frustrating game?
Though hundreds of studies convincingly suggest that spending time in nature is good for health and longevity, scientists still don’t know exactly why. “What really is it about ‘nature’ that makes us healthier? We can’t nail it down to one thing that is true for all people,” says Christopher Minson, a University of Oregon physiology professor and chief science officer of NatureQuant, a startup working on an app for users to track the time they spend in nature.
Take golf courses, for instance. Those count as nature because they are green space. Numerous studies have associated golf with improved health. But is that because of the exercise or the nature? “No research I’m aware of has directly investigated whether the health benefits to being on a golf course can be attributed to nature itself,” Dr. Minson says.
Beach time? It is good for your physical and mental health, according to a growing body of research. Adults in England who live in coastal areas “tend to be happier and healthier than similar individuals inland,” according to a study published in the journal Environment International in 2019. That may be partly because they were more physically active. They took more walks. The difference in onland physical activity between those living less than 5 kilometres—or a little over 3 miles—from the coast and those living more than 50 kilometres was equal to cycling 14 to 40 minutes a week at 15km an hour, the researchers found.
That wasn’t the only reason, though, according to the study. People living inland near “blue spaces”—rivers and lakes—also reported greater health and happiness that wasn’t associated with physical activity.
No, you don’t have to be exercising to reap the benefits of nature.
The practice the Japanese call “forest bathing” is strongly linked to lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones and decreased anxiety, depression and fatigue. It also is linked to decreased inflammation. Many scientists believe the benefits aren’t due just to clean air and less noise, but the substances released from trees, plants and soil. Those include organic compounds, pollen, fungi and bacteria that contribute to the diversity of microorganisms humans need for a robust and diverse microbiome—all the tiny living things on us and in us that protect us from disease. So just breathing the fresh forest air may help strengthen our immune systems, according to a review published in February in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
The benefits don’t just occur in forests. Scientists define nature as all sorts of environments dominated by living material, from a small urban park to the wilderness, according to research. Their definition of “nature exposure” ranges from plants in a room to camping trips to virtual reality.
That means you are likely to get some nature benefits from gardening, kayaking or even on a motorcycle, assuming it’s out in the country, says Dr. Minson. A lot more research is needed to know just how much.
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Citizen Kanebridge member Marcel Zalloua delivered a standout result in Tigani Motorsport’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, backed by Robb Report Australia & New Zealand and Citizen Kanebridge.
Sydney’s night sky lit up with speed and precision when Tigani Motorsport’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo charged to a second-place finish in the Pro-Am class during Race 1 of the GT World Challenge Australia at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Behind the wheel was entrepreneur and Citizen Kanebridge member Marcel Zalloua, partnered with Supercars regular Thomas Randle in a formidable one-off pairing that impressed from the outset.
The result marks a major milestone for Zalloua, a returning driver with previous success in the Am class, and continues Tigani Motorsport’s strong form in the 2025 season.
Zalloua is part of Citizen Kanebridge, an invitation-only club based in Sydney.
The club curates exclusive events, thought-leadership forums and networking opportunities for high-achieving individuals across investment, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The sleek #44 AMG GT3 Evo also sported a high-end lineup of sponsors, including Robb Report Australia & New Zealand and Citizen Kanebridge, alongside other premium backers — all part of a strategy to align the vehicle with luxury, performance and lifestyle excellence.
Race 1 saw the Zalloua-Randle duo execute a clean, strategic drive to claim the podium, with the car showing strong pace under lights.
Although Race 2 proved more challenging with a ninth-place finish in class, their combined effort across the weekend delivered valuable points to Tigani Motorsport’s championship campaign.
Tigani Motorsport continues to cement itself as a serious contender in the GT racing scene, with smart driver pairings, high-calibre partnerships, and a commitment to performance both on and off the track.
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