In case you haven’t been feeling your best lately, you’re probably starting to look into ways how you can change your lifestyle and improve your overall health. While eating a balanced diet is crucial, you also want to get enough exercise. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Moreover, there are many mental health benefits of working out as well, such as lower levels of anxiety and depression, as it promotes the release of serotonin and endorphins. Finally, you will also improve the quality of your sleep.
Although you could join a gym or find some useful YouTube tutorials for a home workout, you should also consider taking your physical activities outdoors. Besides the benefit of being in the fresh air, you will also help your body get vitamin D. This vitamin is vital for facilitating proper immune system function as well as regulating your body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Moreover, it is linked to the release of serotonin that makes us less lethargic and it stimulates the release of melatonin that helps regulate our sleep.
With all of those benefits in mind, here are some outdoor activities that you can consider if you need to recharge your body, soul, and mind.
Go on long walks
Walking is an outdoor activity that is available to most people. It doesn’t require any special equipment and you can do it whenever you have some free time. So, you can start by going on a 10-minute walk around the block and expand your effort in time. After a while, you can go walking in nature for a few hours or even start hiking. You can equip your hiking adventures with a bamboo flask and an app that will count your steps. Walking on a daily basis can help you increase endurance, improve your balance, strengthen your bones, and manage conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
Kick it up a notch with running
If you believe walking is too easy for you, you can also try running. Just 5 to 10 minutes of running a day can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and many other diseases. Something that you should keep in mind is the fact that research shows that four and a half hours of running a week is enough. This means that you don’t have to run for hours every single day. Moreover, running is a high-impact type of workout so you have to be careful not to injure yourself. When going for a run, make sure to stay safe by wearing bright colors and sticking to populated and well-lit trails.
Take your HIIT sessions outside
Perhaps you’ve recently started high-intensity interval training. Well, if you have a mat and some space outside, there is no reason to do these indoors. You’ve probably read up on all the benefits of HIIT such as increasing your metabolic rate after exercise, reducing blood pressure, and improving your oxygen consumption. By taking these short workouts outside, you will also get to up your levels of vitamin D and experience all of its perks as well.
Explore your surroundings on a bike
Some people simply don’t like to think of their physical activity as exercise. If you feel the same way, you can try cycling. Hop on your bike and explore your city and its surrounding area or invest in a mountain bike and go on an adventure that is a bit more challenging. The benefits of regular cycling abound and you can expect everything from improved posture and increased joint mobility and flexibility to decreased stress levels and increased cardiovascular fitness. Remember to use protective gear and follow traffic laws while on your bike.
Give swimming a go
When looking for a low-impact, non-weight-bearing activity, you have to take swimming into consideration. If you love spending time in water, you will love the fact that it comes with many perks. For example, swimming can build endurance and cardiovascular fitness, tone your muscles, and help you maintain a healthy weight. If you’re feeling a bit rusty, don’t take it too far but consider consulting an instructor on some of the best practices. Whether you want to go to the local beach, visit the local outdoor pool, or use your own, it doesn’t matter as long as you enjoy yourself.
Dance your heart out
Maybe you’re not even aware of how much you dance during the day. So, why not take it up a notch and dedicate some time during the day to dancing. Play some music that you love and dance your heart out. If you’re looking for something more structured, you can also look for a tutorial online that you can follow. From improving your strength and balance to boosting cognitive performance all the way to alleviating your stress levels, dancing is a great way to exercise. If you don’t want to bother anyone in your neighborhood with loud music, simply put on headphones.
Relax with yoga
If you’ve never tried yoga before, now might be the time. Many people find yoga soothing thanks to its gentle movements and various benefits it comes with. If you’re a complete novice, you should do some research first and look up a tutorial that will teach you all about proper poses and making the most of this activity. Take your mat outside and let experts guide you with the goal of easing your stress levels, reducing inflammation, reducing chronic pain, and improving your sleep.
Don’t overlook gardening
Finally, an activity you should not disregard is gardening. Taking care of your plants and producing your own food is a great way to not only get some fresh air and vitamin D but it is also a great workout. You will be digging and shoveling, dragging heavy plants and bags, and so on. An hour of light hardening can burn more calories than an hour of walking at a moderate pace, so keep that in mind.
If you’re looking for outdoor activities that can help you recuperate your body, soul, and mind, these eight are certainly a great place to start. From walking and cycling to dancing and gardening, there is no need for this time spent outside to feel like a chore.
