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Benefits of Exercising Outdoors

 

What are the Benefits of Exercising Outdoors?

There are many benefits to exercising outdoors. For one thing, it's good for your mental health to be around nature. You'll also notice that when you're exercising outside, your body will feel better and more energized than if you were indoors.

When we exercise outside in fresh air and sunshine, our brains release endorphins that make us happier. The natural light helps us focus on what we're doing instead of being distracted by technology or other things going on around us (like cars).

When we exercise outdoors, we get more vitamin D from the sun--which helps strengthen bones and prevent diseases like osteoporosis later in life!

 

Fresh Air

Fresh air is one of the most important benefits of exercising outdoors. When you're working out in a gym or at home, your body can get used to the same type of environment and not feel as invigorated by it. By switching up your workout location every so often, you'll find that the change in scenery will help boost your energy levels and improve breathing--both of which are essential for a good workout experience!

Exercising outside also helps increase oxygen intake because there's more oxygen present in outdoor environments than indoors (and especially if you live somewhere with poor air quality). Oxygen is essential for burning calories during exercise; when we breathe deeply from our diaphragms instead of shallowly from our chests, we take in more oxygen--which means better results!

Improved Mental Health

Exercising outdoors is a great way to reduce stress and improve your mental health. The fresh air, sunshine and natural beauty of the environment can help you feel more relaxed and positive about life in general. It's also thought that getting out into nature may help with anxiety or depression because it gives you space from everyday worries, which can be calming in itself.

 

Improved Physical Health

Exercise is a great way to improve your physical health. When you exercise outdoors, you'll be exposed to sunlight and fresh air--both of which have been shown to have positive effects on mood and energy levels.

Exercising outside also allows you to take advantage of all the benefits associated with being active in nature: increased energy levels; reduced risk of depression; improved mood; better sleep quality (if exercising close to bedtime).

 

How to Get Started Exercising Outdoors

  • Choose an activity. The first step to getting started with exercising outdoors is to choose an activity that you enjoy doing, whether it's running or hiking or biking or swimming. You'll be more likely to stick with your plan if it's something that brings you joy and makes time fly by!
  • Find a safe location. If possible, find a park near where you live so that there are plenty of options for activities and locations where people won't bother you while working out (or maybe even join in). Also make sure there aren't any dangerous animals lurking around.
  • Create a plan based on what works best for YOU: Some people prefer waking up early each morning before work so they can go jogging around in the quiet all alone. While others prefer taking advantage after dinner so they can finish the day strong and go straight into relax mode afterwards.
  • Book an outdoor training session with a coach or instructor. Always nice to have a workout buddy to keep you motivated as well as maybe teach you a thing or two to keep your workouts fresh and challenging.