Increase Those Benefits by Exercising Outdoors!
By Donna Stark
There are a lot of things that we invest our time in that produce wonderful benefits to our lives, but the most important investment of time that we can make is to exercise daily. Regular exercise provides countless mental and physical health benefits. From weight loss to pain management to improved athletic performance (and everything in between), staying physically active is a critical component of optimal health and wellness. But you already knew that, didn't you? Well, do you also know that a simple change in location can exponentially increase those benefits?
Change Your Location
Turns out that, by changing the location of your workouts and taking them outdoors, you can end up with more benefits to your health than what you would get had you stayed inside on that boring treadmill. Outdoor exercise combines two activities that have been proven to enhance your overall health and well-being ... physical activity and spending time in nature ... and by pairing the two together, you can expect exceptional results. Let's take a look at some of the extra benefits you can look forward to by exercising under the sun.
- Better workouts - Exercising outdoors has a way of altering our perception and we often push our bodies harder without even realizing it. Natural obstacles, such as wind, terrain, and weather present challenges that we never have to face on a treadmill, and although it may be a more difficult workout, most people generally tend to enjoy the exercise more simply because they are outside.
- Improved mental health - Connecting with nature has been shown to reduce levels of anger, depression, and stress. It's the perfect way to instantly decompress and reenergize since it doesn't require hours of your day to reap those benefits. A quick 15-minute walk is all you need!
- Low cost - One of the biggest factors that prohibit many people from working out regularly is the high cost of indoor gyms. Fortunately, exercising outdoors doesn't come with this problem because it is free! So take advantage of your surroundings and put your body to work on the local trails, at the neighborhood park, or even in your own backyard.
- More family time - Those classes in the gym can definitely be fun but generally, they are reserved for adults. So if you want to increase your family time and teach your children healthy habits, exercising outdoors may be your solution! Chase your little ones around the playground, take that family hike, or grab those bikes and hit the road. No matter what you do, you're sure to have fun building up a sweat with your loved ones!
Get Your Workout On
If you're looking to enhance your mood, save money, spend more time with your family, and improve your overall health and wellness, look no further than the great outdoors. It's time for you to experience all of the benefits that Mother Nature and exercise have to offer!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lubbock, Tex.