GREEN EXERCISE: AN ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS APPROACH TO PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND WELL-BEING IN ZIMBABWE

Research has proven that contact with natural environment and green space promotes good healthy lifestyles and well-being of individuals (Henwood, 2001; Wells & Evans, 2003; and Pretty, 2004). Green exercise is seen as a strategy that helps to reconnect human beings with the natural world and has important implications for public and environment health. Green exercise occurs through interaction with natural environments to enhance human health and well-being. Thus, the presence of trees and natural environment should encourage more frequent use of outdoor space and the experience of nature should be seen to reduce mental fatigue for those involved in physical activity. Although critiques of green exercise have their own views, this paper aims to look at the importance of interacting with nature in green exercise and the impact this can have on the lifestyles and well-being of individuals. This paper will use the Ecological dynamics approach as a theoretical framework which emphasizes performer-environment relationships and their dynamics. This theory views humans as complex systems in their interactions with living systems and their environment. The theory is an approach for studying processes, perception, decision making and action in dynamic performance environments and looks at those taking part in sport within the environment and emphasize that they must focus on safety practice bearing in mind that affordances can be utilized in different activity environments. Ecological dynamics perspective is proposed to underpin observed effects of green exercise and physical activity. The paper will use the library approach as the methodology. It is hoped that the importance of being green and environmentally friendly will be recommended so that people adopt green workouts. Considerations of re-usable water bottles, eco-friendly equipment, material and clothing for making workouts greener will be considered for adoption