Regular exercise is important to maintaining both mental and physical health. But sometimes, that daily trip to the gym can get a little bit boring. Why not try some physical activity in the sun instead? This summer, take a trip to the outdoors and enjoy the benefits of getting active outside.
Gives You the Exercise You Need
When you switch from exercising indoors to exercising outdoors, your body is introduced to a whole new environment and terrain. Outdoor terrain is more versatile and unpredictable than an indoor environment, meaning your body must work harder to stay stabilized as you run, bike, or walk. Even just walking outdoors can help you get in physical shape and burn calories. To see more of the outdoors and get a more challenging workout, try planning a backpacking trip or a similar activity.
Improves Mental Health
Research shows that outdoor exercise can also relieve stress and improve a person’s mental health. Exercise on its own can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, as it releases endorphins and other chemicals that cause you to feel good. But exercising outdoors in nature and under the sun helps release serotonin and heighten this effect even more, leaving you in a better mood than before you exercised.
Heightens Focus
Have you ever noticed that when you take a short break from work to walk around the block, you come back feeling more focused? That’s because exercising and spending time outside in nature improves your ability to focus. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can even help people with ADHD improve their concentration.
Get a Dose of Vitamin D
In addition to helping you physically get in shape, another benefit of getting active outside is that it allows you to get your daily dose of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to regulate calcium and phosphorus in your body and is key to preventing osteoporosis, some forms of cancer, and other diseases. Going out into the sun for about 15 minutes a few times a week can help you to get the amount of the vitamin D you need to stay healthy.
Authored by Inspire Your Journey
