5 Outdoor Activities to Improve Your Health

Outdoor activities can be great for your health. Research shows that walking in the woods can improve your heart rate and reduce cortisol, a hormone that indicates stress in humans. If you haven’t been out in nature recently, here are a few activities you can try. Walking, gardening, and bicycling are just a few things you can try to get some fresh air and get some exercise. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to do it in moderation and don’t overdo it.

Biking

If you’ve ever wondered why biking outdoors improves your health, you’re not alone. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to reap these benefits. Just go out and explore your local area on two wheels and enjoy a great workout. Not only is cycling a great lower-body workout, but it also helps to boost your cardiovascular health. And what’s better than getting some fresh air while riding your bicycle?

Gardening

In addition to improving physical health, gardening has other benefits. According to Raychel Santo, senior research program coordinator at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins, gardening increases your mood and reduces stress. This outdoor activity can even reduce your risk of depression. You may have never considered gardening as a way to improve your health, but now you might want to give it a try. Here are some benefits of gardening for your health.

Hiking

If you have ever wondered whether hiking can improve your health, the answer is yes. Hiking boosts your white blood cell count, which is essential for immune function. Researchers studying the effects of hiking conducted a study that found white blood cells increase by 40 percent when hikers are exposed to natural surroundings. Furthermore, hiking can improve your glucose tolerance. Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what this effect means, but they have a few ideas.

Walking around your neighborhood

People are finding more reasons to take daily walks in their neighborhoods. Walking not only improves your health, but also helps you meet people and develop social connections. What’s more, a daily walk promotes the development of healthy habits in children. It also makes a neighborhood feel safer. Walking in the neighborhood improves the overall community health, which means that fewer crime rates occur. And, it’s an inexpensive way to keep fit without spending money at a gym.

Swimming

Aside from physical and mental benefits, swimming is also beneficial to the mental health of participants. Even babies under two months of age can benefit from swimming. Moreover, swimming can strengthen family ties and foster socialization. If you’ve never been swimming in public, it’s time to give it a try! Read on to learn about swimming benefits for everyone! Then, get out and join a swimming class!