Healthy Ways To Stay Active This Spring Season
As the year rapidly speeds by, we are leaving winter behind and the bright colors, glorious smells and ample opportunities to be active are in sight for the upcoming spring. Springtime is arguably one of the best seasons to be active and to be outdoors. With cool weather, both indoors and outdoors are our playgrounds for a short while. Thanks to great weather, we are able to be active, but also to explore more things in terms of how we can stay fit and healthy.
Whether spending time with your friends or family, or even alone, the spring offers a great chance for us to be busy, and to keep up with our health and fitness goals. Take a look at some of these popular springtime activities, that you can try, all of which will help you change up the monotony of winter activities, and let you explore the world around you a little bit more.
Go Cycling
One of the easiest ways to explore, get active, enjoy the outdoors, and the company of others, all while sticking to your health and fitness goals, is to dust off that bicycle that’s been locked up since winter and hop back on board. Even a simple ride through your neighborhood, or a day in the nearest park, can be all you need to increase your heart rate, keep you healthy, and spend some quality time with those who are important to you.
Because riding a bicycle is considered an aerobic exercise, it’s easy on the joints and is also great for your cardiovascular health. A short bike ride allows you to burn the same number of calories with a short, intense workout as you can exercising at a longer, more leisurely pace. Remember to be safe and to follow all safety rules in the area.
Take a hike
Get up, get moving, it’s as simple as that. Even if you’re not close to any significant mountains or hills, walking is one of the best activities for low impact, effective exercise. Take in the beauty of springtime as you wander through the woods, and increase your cardiovascular health as you do it. See the sights, soak up the sun, and stay active. Being one with nature is a great way to clear the mind, to press the reset, and to do it in the healthiest way possible.
Plan a picnic
Its fun, its easy, and it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors, while spending quality time with someone you deem special. Pack a healthy lunch, and try walking to the best picnic spot; doing all of this is putting you on the right track for mental and physical health, all in one day. A healthy picnic basket should be comprised of lean meats, whole grains, and an array of colorful fruits and vegetables. Remember to be safe in the sun, and to cover with sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
Grow a garden
Believe it or not, gardening can be a great form of exercise. Not only is it therapeutic, but it’s also a little strenuous. With constant moving, pulling, twisting, turning and use of the entire body, planting a garden is no walk in the park. Not only that, but once the garden is up and running, planting healthy foods means you’ll have your own supply to choose form in your health and fitness journey. Planting in the spring, means a bountiful and fruitful fall to come.
Frolic in the Park
Parks are great places to stay active; with such wide open spaces, there is an abundance of things to do, walk, run, skip, hop, jump, whatever you desire. Many parks come equipped with trails to keep you active for ample amounts of time, and they also let you soak in the sun and fresh air. Make the park the ultimate playground, bring fun things to do like a soccer ball or a kite. The endless possibilities that the park bring, make it one of the most popular choices in the spring. It’s free, it’s fun, and it can keep you active for a substantial amount of time.
Go to the Zoo
Zoos are often great to go and check out, especially during the spring, as this is usually when most animals give birth to their tiny little new offspring. Walking around the zoo is a workout within itself, especially in the hot sun. You may burn more calories than you think, so it’s important to stay hydrated, as it is whenever you participate in any spring activity. The zoo helps you sweat mentally and physically, learning about the animals and getting your workout in too.
Swing a Club
Talk about working up an easy sweat this spring. The warm weather makes hitting a few golf balls the perfect time of the year. Whether it’s a full 18 or just a day at the range, golf means you’ll be exerting yourself physically, over and over, and contributing to your own workout.
Grab a Board
Take your pick, either a game or a surf. The warmer weather means the beach will be hopping, and grabbing a surf board for an hour or two is an easy way to burn some calories and stay fit and healthy. However, quality time inside (or even out), with those you love, battling for position and bragging rights on the family board game is just as healthy too. Interactions with those around you, as well as a little mental workout, can be beneficial in the spring.
Savor a seasonal meal
Fruits and vegetables are at peak quality during the spring time season. Treat your friends and family to a nice meal with the finest and freshest ingredients. Take a trip to the local farmer’s market or grocery store and hand pick your foods together. Make the meal a family affair, with everyone involved. A healthy springtime meal can include anything from a nice colorful salad to an array of fruits, fish and grains.
Walk and talk
Head to a café with a friend, walk there, bike there, or even take an ice jog. Using any excuse to be active is an easy way to enjoy the spring for all that it gives. Wherever you go, try to utilize the outdoor patio to connect and to chat with friends, a nice dose of vitamin D is great for overall health.. Face to face connections are becoming sparse, thanks to technology, but they are still very much needed for better communication and overall health. So when you get the chance to meet with friends, do it in person, show them that you care, that they are important, and that the spring isn’t all about physical fitness, but also about mental fitness too. Constant contact helps us to stay healthier both in our bodies and in our minds.
So, this spring, however you choose to be active, you should always aim to benefit most in terms of your overall health and well-being. You can increase your heart rate and break a sweat in a number of different, fun and exciting ways, so use the spring to explore, to be healthy and to get moving. Always stay hydrated, and aim for at least 30 minutes of activity each day.