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Green Health

Scenic park with people walking and cycling

Explore Outdoors

Lanarkshire weight management service - green health logoWe’re often happier when we’re outdoors, think back to your childhood when you climbed trees, built dens in the woods, went fishing in the local river and ran wild in open spaces! It doesn’t need to end now that we are adults, so maybe we can’t climb trees anymore or run as fast as we could but we know that spending time in nature is good for the body and soul, with good evidence to support this.

There are many ways to enjoy these benefits, including walking, gardening, cycling, volunteering, outdoor learning and play as well as just enjoying being out in green spaces and nature!

There are many physical, mental and social health benefits to green health, visit Get Outdoors Lanarkshire for Lanarkshire’s greenspace, parks and nature information.

You can also take a look at what’s going on in North Lanarkshire, and South Lanarkshire.

Being active outdoors

Being active doesn’t have to involve going to the gym, playing sport or exercising vigorously for long periods of time. There are various ways to build physical activity into your daily routine.

Walking & cycling

Walking for just half an hour a day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. You can also get a lot of great advice from Paths for All as well as various walking programmes available in Lanarkshire, including dementia-friendly walking, buggy walks and volunteering.

Go Jauntly App

We’ve partnered with Get Outdoors Lanarkshire to make spending time outdoors that little bit easier for all budding walkers, by adding various local Lanarkshire walks to a free iPhone & Android app; Go Jauntly.

Go Jauntly is a free, community-based walking app to promote walking for leisure and nature connection. It’s a fabulous way to discover local walks created by the people who know and love them, the greenest routes or note down the good things seen in everyday nature.

You can both discover new walking routes and add your favourite strolls to the app for others to enjoy, the more the merrier!

Visit the Go Jauntly website or search ‘Go Jauntly’ in your App Store or Google Play, and enjoy exploring local Lanarkshire walking spots!

Cycling

Cycling offers the same health benefits – and as a fun, convenient, low impact form of exercise, it’s a popular choice for many people. For helpful, practical advice, why not check out Cycling Scotland’s handy resources Tips on Cycling with Family and Essential Cycling Skills.

Lanarkshire has some fantastic walking and cycling routes, view North Lanarkshire’s and South Lanarkshire’s green space opportunities.  – you can find out more by taking a peek at our Walk, Ride Lanarkshire booklet.

Greenspaces, Playparks and Outdoor gyms in Lanarkshire

The below map consists of local greenspaces for you to locate free and friendly walks at a gentle pace. Walks last no longer than an hour and are led by trained volunteers.

You can also locate over 20 outdoor gyms and play areas across Lanarkshire on the map, that are free to use as well as a brief description of each one.​ You can also watch our short videos of how to use different outdoor gym equipment.

Nature on your doorstep

You can enjoy and connect with nature from home. Just being outdoors can help our mental and physical wellbeing and your local area can be the perfect place to enjoy tranquil spots and find peace and quiet.

View NatureScot’s Nature at Home ideas.

Green Health Partnership

The Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership was formed in April 2018 and is helping to connect health & social care with nature.  Lanarkshire is rich in greenspace, parks and nature but this is currently an underused asset.  We are aiming to raise awareness and confidence of the health and social care sector workforce and members of the public to “Get Outdoors Lanarkshire”. We will achieve this by:

  • ensuring outdoor activities are promoted and valued in how we provide health services
  • calling for action from many organisations
  • shaping work around local health priorities

Local partners include North & South Lanarkshire local authorities, leisure and voluntary sector organisations. Find out more.

Wellbeing in Nature

Natural Health Service

Near Me Lanarkshire