Some days, just the thought of dragging yourself to the gym is enough to give you anxiety. If you thought that dread was just you being lazy, it might be time to reconsider your exercise environment.
As it turns out, working out outdoors might be just what you need if you want to feel more energized, have more effective workouts, and stop hating on your body.
Take a look at these four unexpected reasons why you need to be exercising outside:
4. You’ll Burn More Calories
Our bodies adapt very quickly to familiar exercises done on machines in the gym like treadmills and stationary bikes. When we exercise outside, the terrain and the conditions are always varied. Think about how much harder you need to work when you go for a jog outdoors in the summer compared to running the same distance on an indoors treadmill. Not only do hills and different surfaces affect our workout, but wind, temperature, and humidity levels all challenge the body to work harder to compensate for those external forces.
3. It’ll Make You Happier
After a 30-minute walk, 71 percent of people who were outside felt less stressed while 72 percent of people indoors felt more stressed. According to a report published in Environmental Science and Technology, exercising outside boosts energy levels, positive thinking patterns, and boosts your feelings of revitalization. Not only is outdoor workouts physically beneficial, but mentally beneficial as well. Your mind responds better to your surroundings while outside, which make you want to work harder.
2. Sunshine Does the Body Good
Although sun exposure is often associated with increasing the risk of skin cancer, there are many beneficial health effects that are important to lead happy, healthy lives. Exposure to the sun can help strengthen your circadian rhythms, which will help you get better quality sleep. It also has been shown to improve immune function and increase the production of endorphins.
1. It Will Improve Your Self-esteem
While exercising in general leads to improved self-esteem levels, working out in the gym can trigger anxiety in those who are just starting out. There is a tendency to compare yourself to other gym members while in the gym, which actually might lower your self esteem and discourage you from working out. When you exercise outside, you won’t need to worry about the person two feet away from you hearing you wheeze during your run, because there most likely won’t be someone two feet away. Once you remove the anxiety triggers, you can focus on the actual workout, and start feeling good about your accomplishments.
Do you prefer exercising outdoors or in the gym? Share wish us in the comments below.
[Featured image credit: www.classylife.nl]