When it really comes down to it, fitness and exercise isn’t just about maintaining the perfect body or getting the right number on the weight scale, it’s a lifestyle. And those that lead this lifestyle have many options and methods available at their disposal to choose from. Each one comes with its own set of rules and benefits. In this article, we are going to discuss green exercise and why it is the best!
What is green exercise?
In the simplest terms, green exercise is exactly as it sounds, green! This is basically exercise done outside, usually in natural environments. It could be a walk in the woods, or perhaps a hike up a mountain, you might even consider climbing rocks, or swimming in a nearby pond or lake. All of these particular activities are more or less a form of green exercise.
Normally when you subject your body to strenuous workouts, you are advised to use many different types of gym equipments such as dumb bells, weight lifts, treadmills, bench presses, whatnot. However, in green exercise, your main focus is to interact with the nature.
Green exercise involves nature; you use it to your advantage and work out using what it has to offer you. Whether that’s swimming against the ocean tides or hiking up a mountain trail. All of this counts as green exercise.
Why is it the best?
Among the many reasons why you should choose green exercise over all other types of exercises, these are some of the best benefits; we could come up with to get you on board!
- It reduces stress and improves mental health!
In the modern day and age of urbanization, most of us live in the concrete jungle where there just isn’t enough of nature to get around. We spend so much of our time caged between concrete walls and buildings that we need all the nature and fresh air we can get.
So, first and foremost, green exercise is a wonderful way to get some fresh air. Go for a run through a trail in the woods, early in the morning and find out exactly how lovely that is going to feel! Not only will it train your body and help build your cardio, it will also have a positive effect on your mood and mental health.
Studies have proven time and again that viewing nature and interacting with natural environments has led to reduce stress and improved mental health. So not only will you burn off that extra fat, you’ll also find yourself in a good mood while doing it!
- It is known to improve focus!
Weather, temperature, and terrain are all environmental factors that are out of our control. In order to adjust to these subtle changes, our mind requires a great deal of focus. It is easy to get distracted by the many sights and wonders that nature has in store for us. Therefore, according to the studies, those that incorporate outdoor physical activities in their fitness regime are shown to have better adherence to their fitness programs.
It is not only the fact that nature is full of distractions that may hinder you from your exercise and that adhering to your regime even while out in it means that you are more focused, it is also the fact that being out in nature will also take up all your concentration as you navigate yourself through nature’s terrain. Keeping yourself safe as you go about your exercise will require all your focus and attention.
Another factor is that being out in nature will help you clear your mind, hence later on, leave you with a more clearer way of focusing later on in the day.
- Varied Muscle Groups Incorporation
As compared to the indoor workouts, the outdoor activities and sports require different muscle groups. For instance, there is a great deal of difference between being on a treadmill or doing a trail running or hiking. The uneven property of the terrain calls far more lateral movements as well as the activation of muscle throughout our knees, ankles and the core.
- Vitamin D!
Green exercise is the best way to boost the vitamin D levels particularly for those that spend the majority of their time indoors. Outdoor training during the summers ensures that you receive an adequate amount of vitamin D.
Our bodies when get exposed to the sun naturally convert cholesterol to vitamin D3 and this vitamin tackles with the issues related to chronic diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis as well as some cancers that result due to vitamin D3 deficiency.
All physical activities that require a person to be active are equally important but exercise that is carried out in the natural environment such as the parks, lakes ,or more importantly, the green areas appears to have a more significant effect.
