Top ten outdoor activities and exercises for mental health
Everyone is aware that exercising can help improve physical health, but did you know that exercise can improve mental health as well? Mental and emotional health can be improved through exercise, so much so that doctors nowadays recommend exercise and outdoor activities as a standard part of their treatment plan. Many individuals benefit from indoor exercise, but there are many advantages to exercising outdoors. Did you know that just being outdoors can improve your immunity, sleep quality, and overall happiness while reducing stress and anxiety? If you are fortunate enough to reside near the beach, simply being able to see the ocean will improve your mental health.
In this article, we will be looking into 10 outdoor activities and exercises that help you improve not only your physical but also your mental health to a great extent.
1. Rock climbing:
Try rock climbing if you're searching for an activity that combines physical and mental intensity. Even though rock climbing is completely safe with ropes and harnesses, there is always an adrenaline rush in doing the same. Research suggests that climbing is therapeutic. Multiple studies indicate that it can help reduce depressive symptoms, possibly because it requires concentration and mindfulness.
2. Running:
Running or jogging is considered a staple outdoor exercise by many. It is a great workout for both physical fitness and mental well-being. Moreover, it comes free and doesn't require any sort of training to start with. However, the mental health benefits it brings along are high because running can help improve your mood. The adrenaline rush experienced during a run can contribute to an improvement in mental health or a general feeling of contentment. The long-term benefit that running provides is that it helps alleviate symptoms of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression. Running also helps the brain to focus and develop the determination to overcome obstacles and fatigue, thereby training the brain-like body.
3. Swimming:
Swimming is a great outdoor activity as well as an exercise, as it involves most of the body's muscles, which helps in maintaining fitness. However, did you know that swimming also helps to improve mental health? According to studies, swimming has benefited 1.4 million British adults with anxiety and depression. Almost half a million British adults with mental health problems have stated that swimming has helped to reduce the number of visits to a medical professional regarding their mental health. Some of the mental health benefits of swimming include:
a) Releasing endorphins
b) Boosting brain health
c) Slowing dementia and cognitive decline
d) Lowering the risk of depression
4. Gardening:
Gardening can help improve many aspects of mental health, such as focus and concentration. It helps to improve the mood and boost self-esteem. Naturing a plant is not easy, but when you see your plant healthy, it will help boost your self-esteem. Gardening can alter your ability to focus on a single activity. It also helps to improve social bonding if you are doing group or community gardening. The following are several mental health benefits of gardening:
a) Improved happiness and life satisfaction
b) Mitigation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
c) Reduce the effects of dementia
d) Attention deficit recovery
5. Camping:
Camping is one of the outdoor activities that allow individuals to disconnect from technology, connect with others, and experience the healing power of nature. Camping offers a much-needed respite from digital distractions. By realising the therapeutic effect of nature, individuals are now tapping into a natural remedy to enhance their mental well-being and achieve a sense of inner peace. Research shows that the impact of camping on mental health is significant, as it only brings positive outcomes for an individual. There are various reasons why camping is great for mental health, including:
a) It helps enhance the quality of sleep
b) Boost mood and energy levels
c) Helps in creating lasting memories
d) Promoting creativity
In order to de-stress and relax, camping can be a great outdoor activity.
6. Kayaking:
Although kayaking is a physical sport and exercise, it does much more than strengthen the limbs and upper body. It positively influences both your mental and physical health. There are various physical benefits that kayaking brings, such as improving cardiovascular health, toning the legs, strengthening the core, helping to build upper body strength, and helping with weight management. However, there are various mental health benefits to kayaking, including:
a) Boost confidence
b) Improves the quality of sleep
c) Stimulates memory and enhances learning
d) Prevents cognitive decline
Thus, kayaking can be anything from your favourite form of exercise to your mental health therapy.
7. Fishing:
Surprisingly, fishing is one of the ways to improve mental health, as it helps to connect with people and nature. Fishing with friends or family can help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is a great source for getting exercise, cleaning out your lungs, getting that much-needed Vitamin D, and providing healthy food. Additionally, fishing has remarkable mental health benefits. Whether you are combating depression or simply finding it difficult to focus, a few hours of fishing can help you relax. Here are some of them, including:
a) Combating stress and anxiety
b) Enhance concentration and patience
c) Increase self-esteem and resilience
d) Helps in building strong bonds
In a nutshell, it is a great way to ease into enjoying great outdoor activities without feeling pressure.
8. Hiking:
Hiking or a short walk outside is one of the best outdoor activities, which has a huge impact on mental health. Hiking can allow one to switch off from stressful thoughts and think more rationally, all while being one with nature. We are well-versed in the physical benefits of hiking such as reducing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, and others. These benefits only make you consider hiking on a daily basis; however, there are even more profound impacts on your mental well-being. Among those mental and emotional benefits:
a) Reduce the tendency to ruminate
b) Improve creative problem solving
c) Reduces the loss of grey matter
d) Reduce symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Apart from all these benefits, hiking can be a great source of happiness.
9. Biking:
Riding a bike is another good outdoor activity for people who are looking for their overall well-being. Something about the repetitive cycling motion keeps you feeling like it's strenuous, but the action also requires enough attention that your worries tend to fade. You are bound to feel better both mentally and physically with this outdoor activity. There are numerous reasons why riding a bicycle should be your preferred physical activity for enhancing mental health. These consist of:
a) Easy to fit into your daily life
b) Keep your mind strong
c) Helps in socialising
d) Feel calm and mindful
10. Bird watching:
This is a great outdoor activity for all age groups. You will be getting outside for some fresh air and exercise while learning more about your surroundings. Moreover, being part of a local bird-watching community can give you a great sense of belonging and connectedness and make you feel more relaxed and content. Here are some of the mental health benefits of bird watching:
a) It forces you to live in the present moment
b) It’s a prescription for Nature-Deficit Disorder
c) Cost-effective outdoor activity
d) It stimulates and challenges
It is an outdoor activity that you can do by yourself, with friends and family, or with a bird-watching community.
These are just a few of the outdoor activities that help improve mental health and well-being. If you feel lonely to do any of these outdoor activities, contact Nurses Group Homecare in the UK. We provide companionship services so that you are never left alone.