With spring now in the air, there is no better time than to get outdoors after the long winter than now! Being outdoors has many health benefits such as; Sunlight giving you vitamin D to help with bones and your immune system. Natural light, which is proven to help with sleep, anxiety, and overall mental wellbeing. Finally, exercise, which we will discuss in today’s article and provide some ways to incorporating being outdoors and exercise to help improve mind, body, and spirit.
The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend adults engage in a minimum of 2½ to 5 hours each week of moderate-intensity activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week. With planning, you can easily fit 30 to 60 minutes of activity into your routine most days of the week to meet these goals. The best way for long term success is to start slow and build upon the foundations of activity, just like a house, rather than doing too much, too soon.
Lastly, before starting any activities or exercise, always check with your health professional to make sure you are healthy enough to being physical activity. And with that, let’s look at some ideas to get active this spring.
1. Gardening For those who have a green thumb, gardening is a fantastic way to enjoy nature and get outside. It is perfect for passing the time. It also serves as a form of physical activity with all the pulling of weeds and planting seeds. The whole activity has a therapeutic effect on the brain, thus reducing stress. It gives a sense of accomplishment after seeing all your hard work thrive.
2. Walking and Hiking Now that the weather is pleasant and the sun is out longer, you have more opportunities than ever to explore. There is no Spring exercise better than taking a break from the city by hiking your local trails. The experience of being in nature is very therapeutic, while hiking itself is great for building endurance and burning off calories. If you’re embarking on a relatively smooth trail, you might also consider bringing your dog along.
3. Yoga Yoga is the perfect form of exercise to take outdoors. It’s also gentle enough for beginners who have not gotten a lot of exercise during the winter. If you are looking for a low-impact workout to kickstart your spring exercise routine, yoga may be a solid choice.Yoga has been shown to have effects on both the mind and body. It strengthens your muscles, improves your flexibility, and reduces stress and anxiety.3 Plus, the barrier of entry to yoga is low.You only need a yoga mat and comfortable clothing. For some, a yoga block and straps can be helpful to improve your flexibility and stability, though these pieces of equipment are not required.Taking your yoga practice outdoors is also a good way to get closer to nature. While there are some yoga classes held outdoors, you don’t have to attend a class to benefit. Simply find a tranquil spot under a tree or on a grassy hill to increase your awareness of nature. This can also be a good way to incorporate mindfulness during your yoga practice.
4. Biking Bicycling is not only a fun Spring exercise, it has huge health benefits as well. Spring is a great time to start cycling around town. Cycle by yourself, with friends, or with a club. You’ll get the benefits of strengthened bones, increase muscle strength and flexibility, better endurance, and improved posture and coordination. If you really get into it, you can even consider making your bicycle a frequent means of transportation. You’ll save money, plus you’ll get a workout in while you go about your daily activities. It’s a win-win!