While many people work out to maintain their health and improve their physical condition, others do it for their mental health. The link between physical activity and mental health is in the chemicals your brain releases to make you feel good, including endorphins. This boosts your self-esteem, improves your concentration and helps you feel better overall.
However, did you know that you can further enhance the effects of exercise on your mental health by doing your workouts outside? The phrase “nature heals” actually has some truth to it, and you can experience its effects on your mental health once you start exercising outdoors. If you’re still not convinced, here’s how outdoor exercise can benefit your mental health and how you can get started:
How outdoor exercise benefits your mental health
It helps you stay positive
Spending time in nature evokes many positive emotions, such as happiness, calmness and creativity. Plants and trees can be trusted as they enhance air quality, improve concentration and clear the mind. Even just seeing green and purple plants can naturally reduce your stress and anxiety levels. This is because humans have an evolutionary response to such colors, making you feel like you are in a shelter, thus reducing negative emotions. Combined with exercise, this can help you feel better overall.
It improves your mental health
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the body and mind. It helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus for better bone health. At the same time, it supports mental health by preventing internalizing problems related to depression, loneliness and anxiety. A study of infants who received daily vitamin D revealed that they grew up with reduced internalizing psychiatric symptoms, reducing their chances of developing mental health problems.
Although you can get vitamin D by eating foods like egg yolks and fish, you also get it from the sun. When you exercise outdoors in the sunlight, you’re multitasking, not only releasing endorphins, but also improving your mental health—and possibly reducing your risk of problems like depression and anxiety.
Start by exercising outdoors
Protect your skin
Even if you don’t exercise in direct sunlight, its UV rays can damage your skin. UV light is necessary to make vitamin D, but too much can lead to sunburn and skin cancer. This means that long-term exposure can harm your physical health, rather than help it.
Protect your skin by using sports sun care products, which are becoming increasingly popular due to increasing public awareness of UV radiation. One of the major players in sports sun care is Neutrogena, particularly the Sport Face Face Free Lotion. It’s rated SPF 70+ for increased sun protection, and it’s also sweat, water and rub resistant for 80 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying too often during exercise.
Take care of your eyes
In addition to your skin, your eyes are subject to UV damage. Eyes can be easily damaged through photokeratitis (sunburn in the eyes), cataract formation and early vision loss. Therefore, it is vital to protect your eyes while exercising outdoors.
This is why you need to choose a good pair performance sunglasses. This type of sunglasses features the latest technologies—like polarized lenses that reduce glare from the sun and increase their durability so they don’t break easily in harsh weather—compared to regular sunglasses with only UV protection and sleek frames . Oakley is an activewear brand that creates several models of reliable performance sunglasses, including the HSTN, which has a non-slip grip to prevent slipping and breaking when you sweat, and the Sutro, which covers your entire eye area for maximum PROTECTION. By protecting your eyes with durable sunglasses like these, you can have more comfortable outdoor workouts.
Build discipline and endurance
In addition to protecting your skin and eyes, you need to prepare your mind to face the challenge of exercising outdoors. If you’ve ever taken online fitness classes, you know that it takes self-discipline to stay consistent. Sometimes, exercising indoors can be more convenient since you won’t have to deal with the heat or cold. During these times, you can push yourself to go outside because you know how it can improve your mental health.
You’ll also need to build up your stamina as the outdoors isn’t always kind. You may tire quickly in the heat or perform poorly in the cold, so you need to slowly get used to these factors to maintain outdoor exercise. Start by exercising for 15 minutes daily, then 30, then 1 hour. If you feel sick or unwell, remember to stop and rest because you can try again tomorrow.
Exercising outdoors boosts your mental health by releasing endorphins, reducing negative emotions and preventing you from internalizing your problems. Remember these tips before starting your outdoor workouts for your health and safety.
About the Contributor:
Georgina Todd is a freelance writer who prefers to write pieces revolving around health, wellness and sustainability. In her free time, she enjoys taking dance classes, going to flea markets, and doing DIY projects for the home.
