A chill in the air
During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, it felt like the great outdoors was the only place to go. And while it was a lovely option in the spring and fall, it was a little trickier during inclement weather (I’m looking at you snow, ice, rain, humidity, heat…ahh, Maryland weather).
Many people have moved away from gym activities and are doing home based exercise routines. Now there’s a chill in the air and for many runners, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts, it’s tempting to stay put inside. I see so many of my clients lose ground on reaching their health goals during the winter months because their activity level plummets. The benefits of being active outdoors year round are incredible!
The biggest benefit to being active outdoors is to your mental health. Studies find that just being outdoors can alter physiological functioning to reduce stress and diminish mental fatigue while improving your mood, self-esteem, and increasing positive thoughts about your own health.
Additionally, when compared with indoor exercise, outdoor exercise has a more positive impact on feeling revitalized, having more energy and shows decreases in tension, anger, and depression. People often report feeling more engaged and enthusiastic about outdoor activity than they do during indoor activity.
Oh, and one more benefit that’s critical for those interested in achieving maximum calorie burn - outdoor activity burns more calories! Winter hikes, short runs, and walks around the neighborhood all count. If you’re into snow sports, good for you! Skiing, snowboarding, hockey, and ice skating are all incredible workouts.
On a personal note, I have learned that the right gear really is key. I always laughed when people told me “There’s no bad weather, just bad gear”. Fast forward to parenting a young child, a pandemic, and a new puppy that arrived last November. As a thrifty shopper who is always cold, I finally picked up some excellent outerwear and I can honestly tell you I am outside for a walk, playground time, or a hike everyday of the year.
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