Outdoor Exercise and Recovery: Maximizing the Benefits of Spring Weather

As the temperatures rise and the sun shines brighter, it’s the perfect time to take your exercise outdoors. Whether you’ve been suffering from the “winter blues” or happily exercising all winter, transitioning from the confines of a gym to the open air can invigorate both your body and mind. If you love your gym time, adding some outdoor exercises into your weekly routine without giving up your indoor workouts is worth considering. Remember, exercise can be as simple as going for a walk or as complex as a calisthenics routine; the intensity depends on your needs and fitness goals. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of outdoor exercise and get our practical tips for enhancing your muscle health and energy levels.

The Benefits Of Outdoor Exercise

There are tons of benefits to spending time outside and when it comes to exercising outside, the benefits are multiplied. Here are some of the ways exercising outside supports health and well-being:

1. Mood – Exercising outside in nature for even just 5 minutes reduces stress and boosts mood (1). Even though exercising normally has these effects, the results are greater when exercise is performed outside, due to the naturally calming effects of nature.
2. Vitamin D – When exposed to sunlight, the human body can synthesize vitamin D, but unfortunately, our “indoors way of life” has caused a vitamin D insufficiency in most American adults, and even a deficiency in many cases. Vitamin D is involved in supporting bone density, immune function, muscle coordination, and more, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of this vitamin. By taking advantage of the longer hours of sunlight in the spring, you can boost your vitamin D levels, which helps to improve your health. Sunlight really is magical!
3. Exploration – Taking a walk, going for a run, or even exploring different parks exposes your brain to novelty. This can be more entertaining and encouraging than going to a brick and mortar gym. Plus, going for regular walks grants you an audience to watch the flowers blossom and the trees fill with leaves as the earth slowly rises from its slumber.
4. Cognitive Benefits – Whether you’re an explorative walker or you prefer letting your mind do the wandering, regularly going for outdoor walks has been found to promote a more resilient brain and protect cognitive health (2).
5. The Smells – Imagine this: you walk into the gym and take a deep breath. The smell of body odor and rubber mats slams into you with a faint undertone of disinfectants and cleaning products (gross!) Now imagine that you go outside and spring is in the air. The fresh smells of nature entice you to take a deep breath and you feel more at peace. Which would you prefer?
6. Breathing – Air pollution can sometimes be two to five times more concentrated indoors as opposed to in natural green spaces. Individuals with greater exposure to clean air typically have a lower risk of respiratory concerns (3). Therefore, simply breathing fresh air during your exercise in a green space can benefit your body. How cool is that!
7. Eye Health – Exercising outdoors gives the eyes a break from the screens and near-sighted demands of indoor life. Being in open space and looking into the distance allows the eyes to rest and can help to prevent myopia (near-sightedness).
8. Companionship – While it might be hard to convince your friends or family to sign up for a gym with you, the lack of financial commitment required for outdoor exercise may make getting a “yes, I’ll come” a lot easier. Plus, if you invite you invite someone for a walk, they might see it as an opportunity to spend time with you and not even think of it as exercising, thereby allowing you trick them into living a healthier lifestyle with you. Now that’s a win-win!

Tips for Outdoor Exercise

1. Fight Allergies With Supplements: Spring is beautiful but constant sneezing and struggling to breathe can make going outside feel like a nightmare. Our Lung & Respiration supplement is packed with nutrients to regulate the histamine response, combat the symptoms of allergies, and improve breathing to help you enjoy spring more.
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2. Stay Hydrated: With increased outdoor activity and warmer temperatures, hydration is key. Sweating profusely during outdoor exercise can lead to electrolyte imbalances. Therefore, in addition to ensuring you drink enough fluids, consider replenishing electrolytes with supplements or electrolyte-rich foods to maintain proper hydration and prevent muscle cramps.
3. Boost Energy With CoQ10: CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant and plays a role in producing energy inside the cells. A 2023 study found that supplementing with CoQ10 improved energy and physical performance in adults with low energy due to statins (4), demonstrating that CoQ10 can boost energy even in the face of adversity.
   >>Take The First Step To More Energized Exercise
4. Recover Properly: Allow your body ample time to recover by incorporating rest days into your routine and practicing active recovery techniques such as stretching and foam rolling. Additionally, supplements such as BCAA which provides amino acids or Astaxanthin which provides a powerful antioxidant can help to facilitate recovery post-exercise.
5. Enhance Muscle Endurance With Creatine: Creatine is a popular supplement in the workout world due to its ability to enhance endurance and boost muscle strength (5). Whether you’re aiming for 100 more steps or a few more push ups and dips, a creatine supplement may be able to help you reach your goal.
   >>Create A Better Workout Routine With Creatine
6. Protect Your Skin: While soaking up the sun has its benefits, it’s crucial to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Wear sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to shield yourself during outdoor exercise sessions. Remember the recovery supplement suggested above? In addition to improving recovery, Astaxanthin has been found to help protect the skin from UV damage (6) and is therefore, an ideal supplement for supporting your outdoor exercise routine.
   >>Experience The Amazing Effects Of Astaxanthin For Yourself!
7. Enjoy: Research suggests that exercise you enjoy is more likely to encourage you to exercise more frequently and at a higher level, thereby increasing the benefits of your chosen activity (7).

Conclusion

In conclusion, as we embrace the arrival of spring, let’s not overlook the immense benefits of exercising outdoors. From mood enhancement to vitamin D synthesis, exploring the great outdoors offers a plethora of advantages for both body and mind. The simplicity and accessibility of outdoor exercise make it an enticing option for individuals of all fitness levels. As you embark on your outdoor fitness journey, remember to prioritize hydration, recovery, and skin protection to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. Consider incorporating supplements like Astaxanthin, CoQ10, and Creatine to enhance your overall performance. Above all, revel in the joy of movement and find activities that bring you pleasure and fulfillment. Let’s make the most of the spring weather and unlock the full potential of outdoor exercise for a healthier, happier lifestyle.

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