The Best Outdoor Activities To Relieve Stress

There’s something about the summer that makes you feel alive and relaxed. It might be the greenery around you, the sun, or the commune with Mother Nature. While all type of exercise helps relieve stress, outdoor activities add more to the relaxation. While most people think of summer, spring, and fall as excellent times to get outside, being active outside on crisp winter days when the wind isn’t blowing is also refreshing.

Being outside boosts your mental and physical health.

People weren’t meant to spend all day in an office or factory, especially during the summer. The sun is in the right position to provide all the vitamin D your body needs. The green colors that surround you are relaxing, and you get fresh air, not recirculated air. The recent fires and air-quality warnings made me realize how much I crave getting out in the sun and how much better exercising outside is. You can take a nature walk or a hike and enjoy the scenery. Whether I go to Calgary Zoo or take a day trip to Banff National Park, it’s rejuvenating and provides great exercise.

You can save money, get exercise, and enjoy the outdoors riding a bike.

Many people in Calgary focus on using their bikes when weather permits. Riding a bike is perfect for shorter trips. It keeps you in shape, saves gas, and helps prevent pollution. The sunshine provides vitamin D. You don’t have to save the bike for errands, you can ride it for enjoyment, too. Pack a picnic lunch and ride with the whole family, stopping for lunch in a park or another welcoming location.

When you think of summer, you probably think of swimming.

Not everyone loves to swim in a pool. Many of us love how refreshing fresh water is. Glenmore Reservoir, Harvie Passage, and some of the lakes near Calgary, like Johnson Lake, provide not only swimming, but kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Many of these areas have walking paths and bike paths, too. You can ride your bike or hike, and when you get hot, take a dip to cool. It’s the perfect active summer day. Take a healthy lunch with you.

• Fish Creek Provincial Park is huge and provides places to walk, bike, and hike. Sikome Aquatic Facility is there, so you can swim and enjoy water activities, too.
• If you need exercise, your dog probably does, too. Take him for a walk. You’ll both enjoy it. If you don’t have a pet, volunteer to walk dogs at a shelter, or help a neighbor by taking their dog for a walk.
• Get the family hula-hoops and have a hula-hoop contest. If you have willing neighbors, get the whole neighborhood involved. Jumping rope is another outside activity that’s fun to do with the kids.
• Find a patch of lawn, either yours or in a park. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot. It’s called grounding and studies show it can benefit cardiovascular health, improve healing, reduce chronic pain, reduce inflammation, and improve your mood.

For more information, contact us today at Get RIPPED! by Jari Love