How outdoor activities can boost your health and strengthen Johannesburg communities

Johannesburg is one of the most vibrant cities in the country and prides itself on having plenty of outdoor spaces and activities. From community parks and walking trails to outdoor markets and recreational spaces, opportunities for Joburgers to get outside are endless.

For many, these spaces are about more than simply having fun. They are about strengthening communities through offering an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family. But beyond the social benefits, research continues to highlight the countless health benefits of spending intentional time outside.

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey recently, author and physician Dr. John La Puma revealed that people around the world spend an estimated 93% of their time indoors. According to the Indoor Epidemic author, this lack of outdoor exposure can have consequences for our health and wellbeing.

The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to make a dramatic change to your lifestyle to turn things around.

La Puma recommends spending around two hours a week, or about 17 minutes a day, intentionally outdoors in green or blue spaces. Those few minutes, he says, can be turned into “a kind of medicine”.

“Your sleep begins to improve. Your focus begins to improve. Your mood begins to improve,” he said.

He also highlighted that intentionally spending time in nature is associated with reduction in premature death.

"Even having that much vigorous activity at that level, that’s a 23% drop in premature death."

Johannesburg green spaces

For Joburgers, the advice could be easier to put into practice, thanks to the numerous parks and green spaces where residents can take a walk, sit under a tree, enjoy the sunshine or simply spend time away from their screens.

And while Johannesburg may not have beaches on its doorstep, its parks, gardens and other green spaces offer plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature.

Importantly, La Puma says this time should be intentional. Simply walking from your front door to your car, collecting a delivery or spending a few minutes outside while scrolling on your phone doesn’t necessarily provide the same experience.

“Change that time from incidental to intentional, specific time in green or blue areas. You can turn those minutes into a kind of medicine,” he said.

So, if you have been looking for another reason to get out and about in Johannesburg, consider this your sign. Grab a friend, take the family or simply head out on your own and spend 17 intentional minutes enjoying one of the city’s many green spaces.

Not only could you be giving your health a boost, you could also be creating more opportunities to connect with the people and communities around you.

Looking for somewhere to spend time outdoors? Check out some of our recommended green spaces in Johannesburg here.