Mental health is just as important as physical health, and regular outdoor activity using health and fitness tech can help you focus on both your body and mind. It might be something you want to do to help de-stress, calm your mind, or relax. Or maybe you want to get those endorphins going, or simply breathe in fresh air. Whatever the case, outdoor activity can help. Finding something you love and doing it regularly, or at least on a somewhat consistent basis, can do wonders for the soul.
The best part? There are so many different options. You could ride a bike or go for a run with a good audio playlist. You could do yoga or Tai Chi in the park, garden in your backyard, and play sports. There truly is something for every person and every level of fitness, from the beginner to the athlete.
Outdoor activities to de-stress
Sometimes, you want to get outside to de-stress from a long day. There are plenty of outdoor activities you can do in this case that are relatively low impact. You could go for a walk or hike on a local trail, and plan doing this at least once a week. I make a point to go for morning walks every Saturday and Sunday before starting the day. Grab a good pair of wireless earbuds to listen to tunes while you go for a casual stroll. Or wear a GPS watch to keep track of your hiking route. You could also listen to walking workouts on a smartwatch that help calm you down and motivate you while you walk. Keep pace with the instructions and feel good about yourself and what you’re accomplishing.
You might feel that there aren’t enough hours in the day for you to do this regularly. But find ways to multitask and incorporate it into your day. You could walk the kids to and from school instead of driving. Or you could walk to the mailbox in the morning instead of dropping your letters off the next time you drive by one.
Go for a bike ride, using an electric bike to help give you a boost. With the extra power, you won’t have to expend as much energy. But you can still travel further and venture into areas like high up hilltops.
You could also go swimming if you have your own swimming pool in the backyard. If not, head out to a local community centre or friend’s house where you can go for a quick dip. You might even want to invest in a hot tub or sauna for your home. Set aside some time to relax for a few minutes every night, no matter the weather. Put the kids to bed and have a soak for 20 minutes. If you have pets, stop at the park to play with your dog for a short time while you walk them, even if it’s just once a week or on weekends.
There are activities you can do in your own backyard, like gardening. A lot of people find gardening soothing. You can plant flowers or fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Tending to them every day or week can be a great way to de-stress. Plus, you get the benefit of something beautiful to look at, or produce to cook and bake with. Go the extra mile and set up your own greenhouse. It’s a nice area to retreat to whenever you need to de-stress. Since it’s crucial to look after the plants, it’s the perfect excuse for some outdoor “me” time!
Consider low impact backyard games, like cornhole, darts, or Bocci as well. You could set up a standing date to toss a baseball back and forth with the kids for 15 minutes a few times a week. Then set up a telescope and go stargazing every Friday night. It will be a great way to decompress at the end of the work week.
Another great de-stressing activity is camping. Get the tent, a cooler, and relax by a fire with the family. Being one with nature and away from technology for a weekend will help melt your daily troubles away. Even the drive to the campsite can be a relaxing trip. Open the windows, crank up the tunes, and enjoy.
Outdoor activities to breathe in fresh air
If your goal is to breathe in fresh air, consider taking a mat to the local park, throwing on your exercise gear, and doing some relaxing yoga. Set up a yoga workout on a smartwatch like the Apple Watch (with a Fitness+ subscription) and follow along using a pair of connected wireless earbuds. There are other low impact exercises you can do as well, like Tai Chi or stretches.
Walks and hikes are also a nice way to enjoy the great outdoors and breathe in the beautiful smells of flowers and greenery in your area. Find a local trail or park and head out on your own with a filtered water bottle and small backpack with snacks. Don’t forget a GPS tracker and your phone for safety, especially if you’re going out by yourself.
Calming and relaxing outdoor activities
If you’re looking to bring some calm and relaxation, the aforementioned activities all fit the bill. But you could also try using an electric scooter, skateboard, or even hoverboard. Go around the block or to the store to give yourself a nice break while having some fun at the same time. If you’re new at it, you can learn a new skill. Getting your heart rate up and trying to learn and balance could be a great way to refocus your energy or something positive.
Other activities you could consider are relaxing outdoor sports, like fishing, boating and other water sports, golf (using a rangefinder to help you easily spot your target), frisbee, and kite flying.
Outdoor activities for fitness
For some, getting the adrenaline going and heartbeat rising is the best thing for mental health. When endorphins are released, they help reduce tress and bring a sense of positive well-being. To do this, consider upping the ante and going for a run instead of a casual walk.
Once again, a smartwatch or fitness tracker is useful to keep track of your progress and guide you along a route or proper pacing. A good pair of earbuds is also useful, and you’ll want nice fitting ones. Consider ones that wrap around your neck to keep your ears free while you listen to music or a podcast.
If you’re new to running, start small with a short distance, a light jog, or alternate running with walking. As you build stamina and endurance, you’ll find you’re able to complete a 5K in no time, without being out of breath.
Keep in mind that running isn’t for everyone. If you find it isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other activities you can engage in to get fit while enjoying the outdoors.
There’s high-intensity sports, for example, depending on the season and weather. This could be a game of baseball, soccer, basketball, football, or even tennis or pickleball with friends, family members, or neighbours in the park in the warmer months. If you can take a trip the beach or you live by the water, paddleboarding, swimming, or surfing can be just what the doctor ordered. In the colder months, you might want to take up snowboarding or skiing.
Another fun activity you can do in your own backyard that will help get the heart rate up is jump roping. All it requires is a simple jump rope, and you can find smart connected ones that will keep track of your stats, including revolutions and time. If you have a nice deck and an outdoor TV, you could even bring out a few dumbbells or resistance bands and do your regular daily exercises outside instead of in your home gym indoors. Try to do this at least once a week when you have a cardio workout, for example, that doesn’t require anything but your bodyweight.
Enjoy the great outdoors
Doing a variety of activities outdoors is not only good for the body, it’s also good for the soul. It doesn’t have to be a high impact run or sports. A simple daily walk, throwing rocks into the water at the creek while you take in the birds chirping and kids playing nearby, or playing frisbee with the kids can be tons of fun and get you in a good mood. A short bike ride provides great exercise but it can also be relaxing if you go at a slow pace on a flat road or trail.
With the right fitness tech in tow, you can make the experience, whatever that might be for you, even more pleasurable. Pick something and do it every day or even once a week. Pretty soon, it’ll become part of your routine, and make you feel good in the process.
Check out plenty of health and fitness tech, including tech for sports and outdoors, at Best Buy Online.
