Go Outdoors: It’s Healthy!

Life is beautiful. It’s either a gift from nature or an almighty creator, which ever you believe. But life isn’t always easy. Living, or trying to live during the pandemic, raising a family, struggling with a relationship, or dealing with health issues; these are just a few of the things many of us deal with. How do you cope? Do you have a few tools that you cling to? I rely on family, spiritual beliefs, and my love of the outdoors. While getting outside maybe a pastime for most of us, there are also documented wellness benefits from exercising outdoors.

Health Benefits of Exercising Outdoors

It’s probably no surprise that hiking, for example, can lead to improved physical health. I can feel the changes in my body when I don’t walk or hike enough during the week. My muscles get stiff and the next time I go out, I grow tired more quickly. Moving outdoors on a regular basic can also improve Vitamin A and D levels. Studies show that approximately 40% of U.S. residents are vitamin D deficient. Unfortunately, long term effects of not having enough of these vitamins can lead to serious illness. But the good news is that if you soak up that Vitamin D outdoors, it can help support your immune system and your bones. While Vitamin A helps support your vision, growth, immunity, and more.

Recreating in daylight can also help reduce your blood pressure and improve overall heart health, among other things. (For example, strengthening your balance, increasing your sensory perception, and decreasing the risk of some respiratory problems.) It also burns calories! In fact, researchers find “that exercisers burn 10 percent more calories when they walk or run outdoors than they do when they hoof it inside on a treadmill at the same speed.” Now, that’s good news for us outdoors folks! But do some research on your own. You’ll see that there are many more health benefits.

Mental Wellness Benefits of Exercising Outdoors

Moving outdoors is also integral to mental health. This is where I have really found the benefit. In true disclosure, I’m a three-time cancer warrior. This last bout has reduced my quality of life some. I experience side effects that interrupt my daily life, but truthfully: I don’t let it stop me. I find getting outdoors and taking in nature’s beauty, is a true gift to my well-being. Not only my medical well-being, but my mental wellness. And I’m not alone. According to British researchers, nature impacts our brain in positive ways. As one scientist states, “Exercising outdoors improves self-esteem and that a walk in the country improves one’s mood.” Stanford University reports that, “Spending quality time in the great outdoors reduces stress, calms anxiety, and can lead to a lower risk of depression.” I’m all for that!

Because of my own intuition and scientific studies, I’ll continue to exercise outdoors as long as God allows me. Well, and my doctors, too! I hope to see you on the trail soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the scenery from a few of my favorite hikes over the last few years, shown below.

But first, have you heard about the new book, “Folly and Molly Take on the Appalachian Trail?” It’s a fictional rhyming book about two twins who take on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, a northbound thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.