Being an IB student, I tend to forget about it and the fact that there is an outdoors. (I’m sure you can relate) However, as you begin your journey towards creating a more regular exercise schedule, keep in mind that an outdoors exists, and that it can be extremely beneficial to go there when you exercise.
“Why? There’s a nice, cool gym 5 minutes from my house. I don’t want to go outside and get dirty!”
Well, I get you, but especially in the spring months, the weather outdoors is even nicer than in the gym with the constant breeze flowing around and trust me - the pros outweigh the cons.
Not only is exercising outside good for Vitamin D, but it can also be great for your mental health! (Which, let’s be honest, isn’t the best if you go to imagine..) The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry analyzed 11 trials including more than 800 adults and found that “outdoor exercise was associated with increased energy and revitalization, as well as decreased confusion, anger, depression and tension” (Fox News). Wow that’s like everything we struggle with! So pro number 1, you can multitask and get that mind into shape as well.
“Why? There’s a nice, cool gym 5 minutes from my house. I don’t want to go outside and get dirty!”
Well, I get you, but especially in the spring months, the weather outdoors is even nicer than in the gym with the constant breeze flowing around and trust me - the pros outweigh the cons.
Not only is exercising outside good for Vitamin D, but it can also be great for your mental health! (Which, let’s be honest, isn’t the best if you go to imagine..) The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry analyzed 11 trials including more than 800 adults and found that “outdoor exercise was associated with increased energy and revitalization, as well as decreased confusion, anger, depression and tension” (Fox News). Wow that’s like everything we struggle with! So pro number 1, you can multitask and get that mind into shape as well.
According to Fox News (and common sense;), "Sunlight can help you sleep better at night, improve immune function and increase endorphin production."
Also, when you are at the gym you have constant judgement from people around you (or so you think) and constantly focus on looking cool rather than just working out. Well, plants don’t care how many weights you can lift. Exercising outside can make your workouts more effective and increase your self confidence because you have no one to compare yourself to! Except for maybe the occasional buff rock.
If you are working out outside you can also be more creative with your exercises, and enjoy it more. Walking at a brisk pace around your park trail, is far more enjoyable than walking on a treadmill and staring at a wall. So you mind doesn’t perceive the exercise to be as difficult as it actually is. Because you are having FUN! Exercises you can do outside are also far more interesting, as you can try rock climbing, tree climbing, swimming, etc.. that can maintain your physical health just as well as a trip to the good ol gym.
Let’s go back to the vitamin D. Though over exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer, exposure in moderation can be extremely important to your bone and metabolic health. Also, being in the sunlight during the day can help you “sleep better at night, improve immune function and increase endorphin production” (so you can for sure be happy on top of that increased self confidence!) (Fox News).
Last but not least. It’s cheaper. Nature is free. Nature is fun. Nature is better than a concrete building. Next time you try out one of our exercises, go outside!
If you are working out outside you can also be more creative with your exercises, and enjoy it more. Walking at a brisk pace around your park trail, is far more enjoyable than walking on a treadmill and staring at a wall. So you mind doesn’t perceive the exercise to be as difficult as it actually is. Because you are having FUN! Exercises you can do outside are also far more interesting, as you can try rock climbing, tree climbing, swimming, etc.. that can maintain your physical health just as well as a trip to the good ol gym.
Let’s go back to the vitamin D. Though over exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer, exposure in moderation can be extremely important to your bone and metabolic health. Also, being in the sunlight during the day can help you “sleep better at night, improve immune function and increase endorphin production” (so you can for sure be happy on top of that increased self confidence!) (Fox News).
Last but not least. It’s cheaper. Nature is free. Nature is fun. Nature is better than a concrete building. Next time you try out one of our exercises, go outside!
This article was written by our special guest writer, Masha Melon!