Why being in nature matters.
What if we spent more time outside? This is the simplest, most undervalued way to boost both your mental and physical fitness.
Our brains need Nature
Our modern lifestyles keep us “turned on”— we are constantly staring at screens, hearing notifications, managing complex schedules. Studies show that this can be overwhelming for our brains.
Nature helps us reset by,
- Cutting down on stress hormones like cortisol; we get to press the ‘mute’ button on the day-to-day chaos and that’s powerful!
- Restoring our focus. When we are able to look at trees, watch flowing water flow or hear birds sing, our brain uses a more relaxed kind of attention which resets our focus giving us sharper minds.
- Boosts our moods. Walking in a park or sitting by a lake can be a soothing meditation. It also FEELS GOOD to be out there!
Our bodies need movement AND SUNSHINE!
Nature encourages us to move naturally.
- When we walk on an uneven trail, step over a root, or hike up a slight incline, we engage our stabilizing muscles; we work our joints through different ranges of motion. This functional movement improves balance and agility.
- Nature is the essential Vitamin D source: THIS IS A BIG ONE. Few foods can provide all the vitamin D we need. You can try to supplement your way to health, but the sun is the perfect resource to get it through our skin that produces it when exposed to sunlight.
Why is vitamin D a hero nutrient?
- It helps our body absorb calcium, crucial for keeping osteoporosis away as we age.
- It plays a vital role in regulating our immune system.
- It keeps our energy and spirits high!
Here’s your challenge
You don’t need a massive time commitment. 15-20 minutes outside on a sunny day is a good start.
Go for a short walk after your workout, take a lunch break in the park, or simply have your morning coffee on your porch.
Call to action
If you need more help figuring out how to balance your indoor workouts with the powerful benefits of the outdoors, reply to this email and our team at Kinetics will help create a plan that will help you feel your best, INSIDE AND OUT!