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Reduce Stress, Get Outdoors!
Did you know that our environment contributes to 70% of our stress levels, and that 90% of people spend their waking hours inside! We are forming a disconnect from the natural world, and as a result people are in a hurry, overweight, depressed, anxious, and stressed! This state of being is causing our bodies to be inflamed, which puts a physical stress on the body and is not conducive to weight loss. I will talk about how incorporating outdoor fitness into your workout regimens will help reduce stress and boost your energy levels.
A study was conducted on individuals that exercised outdoors verses in gyms. It showed that the individuals who exercised outside were less anxious and depressed than people who ran inside on a treadmill. Serotonin levels were one of the variables measured in this study. It is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our mood and the results showed that it raises when we are outside. You have to love those endorphins!
So it’s time to wake up! Spring is here, and our hibernation days are coming to an end. Unless you were one of the few that were lucky enough to scoot away on a tropical vacation this winter, most of us have been experiencing sunlight and vitamin D deprivation! One of the best ways to welcome spring weather is to release our inner child, let our imaginations roam, and play outside! Join a boot camp, a running or biking club, or even a yoga class to mix-up your workout regimen. You will not only have fun, but have the potential to meet a lot of new people. When people are part of a group, they tend to be more engaged and motivated participants.
You will find time takes on a different meaning when you train outdoors. You won’t be bogged down by a watch, wondering why each minute feels like 30 minutes! Your movements will flow together, and the connection with nature will try to keep you in the present. Flow can certainly happen in a gym, but when you are outside you will find that movement transforms into something more than just exercise, because of the endless possibilities nature provides us.
Staying mindful of the present takes just as much practice and focus as good balance or agility. Here are some tips that you can practice while you are warming up or cooling down:
- Clear your mind.
- Feel the terrain underfoot
- Observe colors and textures
- Breathe in the natural aromas
- Feel the breeze on your skin
- Listen to the sounds surrounding you
- Close your eyes to tune in and enhance your senses
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Written by Stefani Lovley
Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), CPR & AED certified, Combine 360 certified
email: slovley@fxstudios.com
