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Article By Candace Amaker
Who doesn’t love the great outdoors? Smelling that fresh air, feeling the sun’s rays against your skin, and exploring nature and its many creatures. But let’s not forget, the outdoors can also be the perfect place to get some exercise! Don’t believe me? Well, why don’t you take a step outside?
Of course, the first thing you may notice is the sun. If it’s night where you’re at, just…pretend, okay? We all know the warmth the sun provides, but something a few people may not know is that the giant fireball in the sky actually provides Vitamin D. And what does Vitamin D do for your body, you may ask? It can help the body absorb calcium and it assists your immune system in fighting off bacteria.
Vitamin D can also help reduce inflammation, maintain cell growth, and it can even aid your body in absorbing nutrients! Pretty cool, right? Oh, and another fun fact about sunlight: it can increase serotonin, which is a hormone that can affect your mood. So take that, depression and anxiety!
While the sun is an important component when it comes to the outdoors, the fresh air should also be noted. Yeah, it’s nice to feel a cool breeze while on a run, but the air can even help with your sleep cycle. If you are having trouble going to sleep at night, then a good outside workout will be perfect for you! I bet the moment you step back inside, you’ll want to take a good, long nap.
With all that being said, doing outdoor workouts does not only provide physical benefits. They are also good for your mentality and going outside makes your workout seem more like play than something you absolutely HAVE to do. It’s almost like you’re tricking your mind, but for a good reason! It’s like having to do some work, but you put on some music or make it into a game so the time will go by fast and you won’t feel bored.
Being outdoors will also provide your body with much more of a challenge than being indoors. Just think about it. What do you think is more challenging: running up some stairs or running up a steep hill? Washing dishes or swimming in a nearby lake? There are so many outdoor activities that you can do that are fun and good for your health.
Something most people automatically assume is that you need to go to a gym to get a proper workout and honestly, I think that’s ridiculous! If you want to do pull-ups, you don’t need an actual pull-up bar in order to do it. Find a tree with a big, strong branch to hang off of! Running on a treadmill? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Why would I run a treadmill when I have a whole open field in my backyard? I mean, it’s right there!
And who said you had to do outdoor workouts by yourself? Invite your friends and family to do exercises with you! What’s better than having your whole support system there to keep you going in your workouts? Not to mention that you’ll convince them to take on a healthier lifestyle while also having fun.
Wanna know the best part about getting a workout done outside? Well, it’s the best part to me anyway, but I’m sure you’ll also appreciate this too. Ready to hear it? Okay, here goes…IT’S FREE! Just going outside will keep more money in your pocket. Money that you would’ve spent on gym memberships or hiring workout instructors. Sure, you can hire an instructor if you’d like, but when you’re taking a walk around the neighborhood, do you really need instructions on something like that?
So kids, go out there and touch some grass! Get you a good workout while having fun outdoors. And parents, go join your kids in some outdoor fun! Encourage them to stay healthy and be there to support them when they need it. Ask your other relatives and friends to join your outside workouts or go out on a nice stroll on your own to clear your mind. Let’s all stay fit and happy together!
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