Fitness Wellbeing for Spring by Malcolm Harris
It’s spring time and that means it’s warming up and people are outside. Spring is a time where individuals have a renewed energy when comes to accomplishing the goals that they want. Let’s take advantage of the sunlight and improve our wellbeing through the lens of fitness. When many people think of fitness they think of a crowded gym after work with weights and dumbbells. Sometimes changing the environment is just the trick we need to get us going.
There are moments where we can get stuck in a rut and don’t know where to start. There are several different ways to incorporate fitness into our lives. The trick is finding what works best for you.
Here a few things you can do to exercise outside the gym and the benefits of each
- Walking: take a break from the treadmill and take a stroll around your local park. Take in some fresh air and take a moment to reflect on the day.
- Helps decrease anxiety, depression, and increases mood.
- Helps prevent social withdraw
- Walking improves your heart health and immune system
- Yoga: As we age, mobility becomes important for our daily functioning. Consider taking a yoga class to help improve your mobility and flexibility.
- Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness
- Yoga increases body awareness
- Yoga relaxes the mind, centers attention, and sharpens concentration
- Hiking: Take a hike and take in the views as you navigate nature.
- Outdoor activities or any nature or environment-related activities greatly reduce thought rumination.
- Allows you to unplug (leave your phone behind)
- Reconnect with yourself and loved ones
- Swimming: It’s great aerobic exercise but here are a few other benefits to taking a dip in the pool.
- It helps with joint pain and pressure from the body due to the buoyancy of the water
- A study from Indiana University, researchers found swimming 2 to 3 miles anywhere from 3 to 5 times per week can postpone the aging process
- The warm water reduces stiffness in the body
Fitness Facts:
Sharper memory and thinking: Exercise can stimulate growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-related decline.
Higher self-esteem: Regular activity is an investment in your mind, body, and soul. When it becomes habit, it can foster your sense of self-worth and make you feel strong and powerful.
Better sleep: Even short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate your sleep patterns.
Stronger resilience: When faced with mental or emotional challenges in life, exercise can help you cope in a healthy way. Regular exercise can also help boost your immune system and reduce the impact of stress.
Here’s is a great resource for outdoor activities in Raleigh!
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