The Wonders of Outdoor Exercise

There's no doubt about the tons of benefits that exercise can offer. It's paramount that you do sweat it out regularly, especially during the pandemic. For instance, without an active lifestyle, you could gain more weight. Why? You're storing energy, eating and eating some more throughout the day, but not using it. The result is that you gain weight and that can be a problem.

Millions have been affected by the virus. And as time progressed, specific patterns have emerged. One of which could surprise you. COVID-19 is far riskier for patients who are obese. Worse, this goes true even for younger people. Statistics show people strapped with obesity are 48% more likely to die when infected with the virus than people of average weight.

So, that should tell you to sweat more and lessen your couch time. But what about exercising outdoors? By the looks of it, getting your sweat on when closer to Mother Earth doubles the rewards. Here's why.

Soothing Effect

Remember the time after a therapeutic massage? You feel so calm afterward. That calming effect is priceless. Your mind is rested and not disturbed. Your mood has improved. And that's one of the reasons why exercising outdoors, also dubbed as 'green exercise,' matters.;

No doubt, indoor gyms have their place in the sun, though they're primarily closed for now, with the virus still at large. But truth be told, outdoor exercise can give your mental state a boost that would make indoor gyms squirm and drool in envy. A study reveals that exercising outdoors can reduce negative emotions such as depression and anger, improving your mood in the process.

All that is telling you exercising outdoors can be the medicine you need to keep your mental health. For one, exposure to sunlight, something no indoor gym can give, promotes vitamin D production, a possible factor for positivity. You need not even have to have your heart racing like a hungry lion is chasing you. A dose of walking and other low-intensity routines can get you there.

Boost Self-esteem 

Nowadays, cultivating self-worth can be an uphill climb. But not if exercising outdoors can't help it. Research points out that green exercise in as little as 5 minutes can boost self-esteem. It does not even have to take much time to get such an effect. 

You can do it in just about any place outdoors. However, if you want to make the most of this effect, being near bodies of water or greenery is spot on. The excellent news is low-intensity exercise has proven to be much more effective in boosting self-esteem than rigid high-intensity training.

Ease of Access

Now think about it. If you have to go to the gym, you'd have to wade through traffic. Plus, you'd have to navigate your way to parking lots and locker rooms. That can certainly take time.

But with outdoor exercise, you can do it in an instant. You can even do it just outside your house, on the patio, for instance. And with a retractable patio shade, you can choose to hide from a hot high-noon sun, or the rains for that matter. Additionally, you can also have the full benefits of the morning sun should you choose to. A retractable shade is a treasure trove with its flexible feature, allowing you to exercise outdoors while closer to home. 

Low Cost

There's always the case for added costs when you enroll in a gym. It's no accident people cite that their biggest stumbling block to exercising is the price tag attached to it. But that should not be a problem with green exercise.

Outdoor exercise is a low-cost alternative to exercising in a gym, and it should be a welcome option for gym buffs and sports enthusiasts alike. You can make the most of low-traffic streets in the neighborhood, for instance. Or, for that matter, the local parks. A hike or a run through a trail in the woods is also a great idea. In which case, make sure you bring a companion with you for security purposes.

Bonding Time

Now, think how much more fun it is if you exercise outdoors with your family. It's a blast.

You are allowing your inner circle to reap the benefits of outdoor exercise that way. You can make it an event. Why not bring bikes and have a picnic outdoors? Just choose a good place to go. Think of the bonding possibilities. With a bit of imagination, green exercise can be the antidote to all the gloom and doom that the pandemic brings.