Fitness Expert Nancy Donahue Talks About How Being Outdoors Benefits Your Body and Your Brain

June 6, 2016
by  Nancy Donahue
GOOD LIFE GAL

I’ve always been a lover of the outdoors. Being outside makes me happy. And I know exercise plays a crucial component in maintaining optimal health and wellness. Now that there’s more evidence supporting the science behind nature being the best place to workout, I’m all about spreading the word! Studies show being outside and breathing in fresh air is a wonderful way to kick your body and your brain into high gear.

In fact, a study from Glasgow University showed that people who walked, biked, or ran in nature had a lower risk of poor mental health than people who worked out inside.

Besides the fact that it just feels good to be one with nature, the great outdoors is also beneficial for stress reduction. And who couldn’t use a little less stress these days? Research has shown that being outdoors naturally lowers your heart rate and can help increase relaxation. It’s no wonder that I’d rather be in plank pose at the park than in my living room.

Being with nature is also a great way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D––AKA the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D supports our immune systems and promotes healthy bones and teeth, and can reduce blood pressure too. So, while you are catching some rays, you’re getting all of those positive benefits too––just be sure to protect yourself with sunscreen.

If that’s not enough to get your outdoor fix, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, our indoor environment is two to five times more toxic than our outdoor environment, and in some cases, the air inside can be 100 times more polluted.

So get your green on. Whether it’s swimming, golfing, bicycling, yoga at the park, or walking on the beach, make getting outside your next guilty pleasure. Your body––and your brain––will thank you in countless ways!