Improve Your Health by Getting Back to Nature
There’s something invigorating about grass under your feet, fresh air in your lungs, and sunshine on your face that just feels great – and science is beginning to discover just how connecting with Mother Nature boosts your mood.
A growing field of scientific study called ecotherapy is dedicated to unearthing exactly how getting outside makes human beings feel invigorated. While any exercise is beneficial for the body, ecotherapy research has shown that exercise performed in nature has greater brain benefits than exercise performed in other environments. It’s not just about breathing fresh air – seeing trees, grass, sand, water, and other natural elements, as well as hearing nature sounds, seems to initiate calming patterns in the brain.
You don’t have to spend hours outside every day to reap the benefits – just 20-30 minutes a few days a week will get the job done. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to get moving outdoors.
Keep Your Regular Workout – but Change Your Scenery
Whether you work out on a yoga mat, a treadmill, or in your living room, take your workout outside. Most workout streaming services have apps that allow you to easily stream to your mobile device. Dress appropriately for the weather and enjoy as your workout takes you into a new world. If it’s chilly where you’re at, don’t worry – your body will warm up quickly, and you’ll get a metabolism boost from your body’s natural inclination to maintain its internal temperature.
Become a Tourist
You likely do the same routine every day. Shake it up by becoming a tourist in your own city. Drive to your local downtown area and head out for a walk, discovering sights along the way. Pull up a map of your town online and look at the green areas. Chances are there’s plenty of space nearby that you have yet to explore. You’ll get the health benefits of being outdoors while also getting to enjoy your hometown in a new way.
Let a Kid – or a Pet – Lead the Way
If you have a kiddo or a furry friend, you know how much they love to participate when you exercise. Letting someone else take the lead is a great way to get a new perspective on spending time outdoors. Head out with your child or your pet, and let them decide where you’re going to go (keeping safety in mind, of course). Bonus points if you switch your phone into airplane mode to focus on enjoying the blood-pressure-lowering, happiness-inducing sounds and sights that the natural world has to offer.
No matter how you decide to enjoy the great outdoors, one thing’s for sure – you’re going to get thirsty while you’re out there. Be sure to throw a light, citrusy, refreshing Orangina Sparkling Citrus Beverage into your backpack before you hit the wide-open trail – or your wide-open backyard.