The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise
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Trees are budding, the sun has been spotted on multiple occasions -- it's officially spring! We've been feeling a little cooped up this winter/entire year, so it's time to get active outside and enjoy the spring air.
The benefits of outdoor exercise are more than just sun and breeze, though. In recent years, the movement toward "green exercise" has drawn attention to the massive advantages of outdoor workouts. From better sleep to bigger challenges, here are the best benefits of outdoor exercise.
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Boost your vitamin D
- Getting your exercise outdoors means getting good sunlight exposure! As you may know, when you expose your skin to natural sunlight, it generates the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to protecting your body from degenerative diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Physical activity is a key part of disease prevention and vitamin D generation as well. By getting regular outdoor exercise, you can double your D!
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Reset your circadian rhythm
- If your nights aren’t as restful as they should be or falling asleep has become a challenge, regular morning exercise outdoors may be the solution. The beneficial association between early exercise and sleep is longstanding, but outdoor exercise boosts the de-stressing properties of physical activity through exposure to fresh air, natural scenery, and repetitive breathing.
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Improve your mood and relieve some stress
- Sunshine can help produce serotonin, and physical activity produces feel-good endorphins. Exercising outdoors has been linked to increased energy, stress-relief, concentration, and even self-esteem. This research still needs more conclusive testing, but it’s tough to dismiss the idea that a walk in the woods is more relaxing than a treadmill trek.
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Exercise for free
- Everything you need for a great outdoor workout is available to you at no membership cost! Parks, tracks, sports courts, hiking trails, and other outdoor exercise areas are a great way to work out without shelling out.
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Challenges your body and mind
- Outdoor terrain presents unique challenges that you’re not getting on a treadmill, track, or mat. Your body has to work harder to compensate for natural obstacles and inclines, as does your mind. The changing scenery means you’re less likely to get bored as well, meaning you’re more likely to exercise longer.
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Work out with others
- Outdoor exercise is great for training with friends or fitness buddies! With social distancing guidelines still in effect, working out outdoors is a great way to stay in touch and in shape at the same time.
Final Thoughts:
Outdoor exercise benefits both your mind and body in ways a gym session never can. Human beings are intrinsically linked to nature, so it makes sense that it provides us with such relief and rejuvenating energy. Get out there and get a sweat on alfresco!