Have you ever noticed a sense of being happier and more calm after an outdoors training session? Well research suggests that training outdoors amongst nature has great psychological benefits as it lifts your mood and lowers stress.
Lately I have been making a conscious effort to ensure a regular part of my training is done outdoors and organised a monthly hike with a friend. We chose a different location every month to keep things interesting!
Below are the top 5 benefits THE FIT FOODIE (ww.the-fit-foodie.com) has identified from training outdoors.
TOP 5 BENEFITS TO OUTDOOR EXERCISE:
- Sunshine
Vitamin D provided by exposure to the sun has some great benefits. It strengthens your immune system, makes bones stronger and also actually improved your mood. Exposure to sunlight is a common treatment for depression and other mood disorders. Endorphins, which can raise your mood and keep it stable, are released when you spend time in the sun.
- Mental Stimulation
Outdoor exercise provides mental stimulation that indoor workouts simply cannot match. It doesn’t matter if you’re working out at home or at your local gym, you’ll always be surrounded by the same four walls. Training outside means you have constantly changing scenery that excites and stimulates your brain. Give your mind a workout as well as your body!
- Psychological Benefits
An increasing amount of research shows us that outdoor activity is psychologically beneficial as well as physiologically. Exercising amongst nature amongst trees and wildlife can give you a healthy mood boost and combat anxiety, lowering tension and alleviating stress that many of us suffer from.
- New Exercises
Despite some claims that exercise simulations are just as good as the real thing, you’ll find outdoor training uses muscles you never thought you had. Running outdoors is physically more demanding than a treadmill, even on an incline.
- More varied workout
Outside you’ll encounter varied terrain and conditions that cannot be simulated in the gym. You hit hills and different surfaces, such as concrete, grass, sand and – of course – earth and mud! All these surfaces and gradients exercise your body in different ways. You’ll need to flex your limbs differently in order to adapt to the contour of the terrain. http://the-fit-foodie.com/5-benefits-of-training-outdoors/
So if you are looking to spice up your training routine think about heading outdoors!
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