4 Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

It is easy to feel cooped up in your house or apartment during these times of uncertainty and worry. Exercising outside is a great way to workout and get some fresh air, but only if you feel comfortable and safe to do so. Be sure to practice social distancing,(give others outside at least 6 feet of distance), and make sure you change your clothes and wash your hands when you return home.

With gyms and fitness centers closed, many people are taking their cardio exercise routines outdoors. Many stay-at-home or shelter-in-place ordinances allow outdoor exercise as long as social distancing is observed. However, many of these ordinances have closed playgrounds and courts, so tennis, pickup basketball, and other activities are no longer possible. Instead many people are running, hiking, or biking, while staying a minimum of six feet away from others. Be sure to follow state and local ordinances and laws regarding exercising outdoors.

Besides being able to breathe in clean air and stretch your legs, there are a lot of advantages to exercising outside:

1. Take in Some Sunshine

Being in direct sunshine increases serotonin, a mood affecting hormone, and gives you vitamin D. The serotonin, along with the endorphins that are produced during exercise, can create an antidepressant effect. So you can feel like you are walking on sunshine while you are exercising in it.

2. Challenge Yourself

The change in terrain and elevation outside creates a tougher environment for a cardio walk or run compared to the even foundation of an inside track or a treadmill. The need to be aware of your surroundings will also activate your mind in a way that exercising inside cannot provide. If you usually exercise on a treadmill, learn how to transition to running outdoors. Be sure to choose a path that will not be too difficult to handle.

3. See New Scenery

Are you tired of staring at the same walls or are your eyes fatigued from looking at a screen all day? Exercising outside will give you new scenery to enjoy. Being amongst nature can be an especially good boost to your health and spirit.

4. Exercise New Muscles

Strides taken while exercising inside and outside often vary. So, by taking your jog or walk outside, you will work some muscles more or work them differently than you do inside. For example, people typically flex their ankles more when they are exercising outside and are more likely to go downhill, working leg muscles differently than flat or uphill terrain.

So, it might be time for you to shut off this screen and get moving outside. Enjoy a long jog, a brisk walk, or celebrate Bicycle Month by hopping onto a bike and riding around. You can even take your strength training outdoors by using resistance bands in your backyard.

References

1. McManus, K. D. (2018, August 29). 10 superfoods to boost a healthy diet. Retrieved March 16, 2020, from https://bit.ly/2UfBuhJ

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