The perfect recipe for an enjoyable day – one cup great sleep, two spoons relaxation and a heaping dose of the great outdoors. Picture it now…The sun is shining bright to warm you while the breeze cools you off juuuust right. A big breath of fresh air gives you the energy you need to get your sweat on – that sweat is your badge of honor. Forget about “beating the heat” by staying indoors, getting outdoors can motivate you to exercise faithfully. Burning those calories outdoors not only helps you tone your muscles, but also has a psychological effect on you – exercise for the mind too.
Whether it is just a leisurely stroll outside a heavy-duty run, getting outside is good for you. A quick rendezvous with nature will revitalize you, without any distraction of screens or electronics. Set up an outdoor workout regime. It’s also a great idea to involve the rest of your family too. Have the kids play while you work out outdoors!
There is a clear connection between spending time outdoors and stress reduction. Fresh air, especially oxygen, releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin in your body. That’s the good stuff your body needs for several functions – including sound sleep. Your outdoor exercises not only help keep you keep fit and healthy, they boost your mood to make you feel good too.
Burn more calories while exercising outdoors.
When you run against the wind while exercising outdoors, you burn more calories. You can do that when you run or cycle outdoors or while crossing the hilly terrain of your neighborhood park. Your body works harder than usual while resisting the wind.
Gym memberships aren’t cheap but nature is free and available to everyone! That apart, how many of us have paid membership fees and never turned up for any sessions at all? So save the hassle, the guilt and save your money. Get your running shoes on and run to the park from your home – save cash on gas too.
While exercising outdoors, you deal with the continually changing environment – the weather, temperature, and the terrain are all factors to consider. When you focus on the changes around you, it is more engaging – a temporary break from your daily stress. Completing a long and challenging hike, trail run, or bike ride has an addictive quality that leaves you craving more! When you run through different landscapes you’re less likely to get bored and end up exercising for even longer than planned.
Low-impact exercises such as walking are powerful to recover from intense, structured gym workouts. They increase the blood flow to help your muscles recover. This helps deliver oxygen and nutrients, keeping your organs healthy.
Replace your Vitamin D supplements with the real deal – sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased risk to a host of chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and some cancers. Use natural sunlight to feel happier too – that’s why it’s called a sunny disposition!
Gyms could be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Poorly circulated indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to a study from the Environmental Protection Agency. Breathe easier by simply taking your training outside.
A short walk in nature during your lunch hour rejuvenates and gets you more focused for the rest of your day. Challenge yourself with a new or favorite activity, a trail run or mountain bike route, or maybe you’ll attempt paddle-boarding for the first time. A new activity will be both exciting and rewarding.
That’s Rachel Carson in “Silent Spring” – we agree.