Many busy people confine their physical activities to 30 minutes of running on a treadmill, pedaling a stationary bike, or dancing inside a gym. Although these activities are good for raising your heart rate, the closed environment, sterile gym atmosphere, and the presence of so many other people does little for your peace of mind or ability to relax. For true improvements in physical and mental/emotional health, it is important to get outside into the open air.
The Benefits to Health of Exercising in the Open Air
When people first begin exercising outdoors, the first difference they usually notice is the air itself. As your rate of breathing increases, you become aware that you are pulling fresh, life-giving air into your lungs. Unlike air in a gym that is circulated within the building, the air found outdoors is relatively free of contaminants and carries all the seasonal smells of nature.
After a few weeks of exercising outdoors, people begin to notice other, more important benefits that are related more to their mental and emotional wellbeing than to their physical health. In modern society, being outdoors has become something of a novelty to many people. Regular outdoor exercise is a good way to find time to connect with nature. Exercising outdoors allows people to connect with the world around them and with their inner selves, achieving harmony and peace of mind on an instinctual, innate level.
Types of Outdoor Exercises
When looking for a type of outdoor exercise, there are many choices. Some obvious choices include running, cycling, climbing, speed walking, rock climbing, swimming, basketball, and soccer. But if you really want to maximize the mental and emotional health benefits of outdoor exercise, it is a good idea to look for a lower-impact, less intense activity that emphasizes mental, spiritual, and emotional health over (or at least as much as) physical exertion. Some examples include yoga, meditation, and tai chi. Of course, these arts can be practiced indoors in studios, but performing them outdoors brings an added dimension that makes the experience richer and more fulfilling.
Tips for Maximizing the Experience
Choosing to exercise outdoors requires some practical considerations. The most obvious is the weather. Know the weather forecast, and if anticipated weather conditions are not appropriate for your preferred activity, choose to stay indoors. If the weather does permit doing the outside, be sure to have the appropriate shoes and clothing. Wear layers so that you can adapt to changing outdoor temperatures. Also, consider where you are going to go. Trying to do yoga postures in the middle of an urban plaza with many passersby is completely different from doing those same postures on a solitary cliff overlooking the ocean. For the best health benefits, try to find a place that allow you to relax both physically and mentally.
Begin by exercising in the open air for at least a week or two, giving yourself time to become accustomed to it before making a final decision. Chances are, you will find that the time you spend outdoors is a liberating, relaxing complement to your regular gym activities.
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