Outdoor Exercise
We don't need to be confined to our own homes all of the time. With proper social distancing, outdoor exercise is the way to go!
Green Exercise
Exercise in the presence of nature, termed as Green Exercise, can “provide additional health benefits and, thus, have greater value for preventing disease and enhancing population health in the population” (Lahart, 2019). It is a fantastic motivator to want to exercise more, and can be the most efficient as well. Exercises that are performed in outdoor environments such as running, hiking, or biking, tend to be undertaken for longer periods of time rather than performing exercises that are indoors (Lahart, 2019). In a recent study, participants ran a 5km run in four widely different outdoor environments and were asked questions before and after their run on their mood, self-esteem, and stress. The study showed an increase in those characteristics after the run, but the type of environment they were under did not necessarily matter (Rogerson, 2016). In turn, Green Exercise is shown to provide lasting effects in all areas physically and mentally.
Mental Relief
Exercise is a form of physical stress, but this physical stress can relieve mental stress and provide relief. Running has come out as the top form of outdoor exercise for improved mental relief, as it provides a reduction in restlessness, bad moods, stress levels, and overall anxiety. In the right environment away from distractions, the calming green environment around us adds as an extra stimulant and motivates us to want to think calmly and rationally even if our everyday lives come with problems we think we cannot handle. “Thus, green exercise might have more beneficial effects on state stress levels because natural environments are often being perceived as calming” (Klaperski, 2013).
A Cost-Free Environment
Exercising outside costs little to nothing while giving you the much needed health benefits. Gyms at times can be costly and can be intimidating if contracts are involved. Especially during these times of the pandemic, gyms should be a last resort as they can hinder from eliminating the spread of the virus. Outdoor exercise is a great alternative solution for people that are in times of mitigating safety precautions, as well as financial hardships.
A Social Expedition
During these hard times, it may seem impossible to exercise outside with your peers and friends. However, exercising with your friends and family can be achievable while also maintaining social distancing. Of course, stay home if feeling sick and limit the number of social interactions when possible. When deciding where to go outside, avoid busy areas with crowds of people and try to stick to the members in your household when going outside to exercise. If it is friends you are meeting up with, avoid physical contact and keep a distance of 6 feet of space. There are many social benefits when exercising outside such as finding common interests with others, memory improvement, and improved reliability. While following these guidelines of social distancing, these benefits can still be achieved when exercising outside.
