If your work tends to let you sit in front of the computer all day, you might be concerned about your health and well-being. However, not everyone is fond of going to the gym.
Hence, your next best option for physical activity is to go outdoors.
The Many Benefits of Being Active Outside
Having an in-house gym is an excellent way to get your exercise fix at home. However, there is something about going outside that is more inviting in doing physical activities. So much so that it can help boost your mood.
It also tests you in terms of the variability of the environment you will expose yourself to outdoors. At the same time, it helps you sleep better because of your exposure to the sun.
All of these and more are what you can expect from being active in the outdoors.
Outdoor Activities You Should Try Out
Now that you know the benefits of outdoor activities, it’s time to figure out what you want to do. To inspire you, here are ten outdoor activities that you should try for yourself.
Surfing
Strengthen and tone your muscles by surfing.
Surfing is a popular outdoor activity that is an excellent source of exercise. If you love the beaches and water-based activities, try out surfing.
Something is satisfying about being able to coast with the powerful waves. It feels like life is more carefree and open. This part is one of the things that makes surfers keep coming back for more.
When you pair that with traveling, surf travel will surely help boost your mood no matter what. Given that you can also travel to unique places and surf there, you might even find yourself surfing in places like Easter Island.
Kayaking
Kayaking helps you increase your endurance.
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Another outdoor activity that is water-based would be kayaking. What’s excellent about kayaking as an outdoor activity is that it can seem like an extreme sport, but it’s a pretty low-impact activity. Therefore, it helps you get your exercise in without being too hard or taxing on the body.
Kayaking can be as mild or as wild as you want it to be. It depends on what body of water you go kayaking in and the difficulty level. As a beginner, it’s best to enjoy a quiet time on a kayak in calm waters. However, if you’re looking for excitement and are an expert, you can try out rapid water paddling, which is more complicated.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is important for good overall posture in your everyday life.
Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash
If you love being around the water so much, you might as well try scuba diving. Scuba diving and snorkeling usually go hand-in-hand. You can do these activities leisurely, and most of the time, you can do them in top beach destinations. However, you don’t need to go on a holiday trip to be able to enjoy them.
What’s excellent about scuba diving is that sight-seeing is part of the activity. In most cases, that’s the point of it. Not only will you be getting your body to move around, but you’ll also have a feast for the eyes. If you have a waterproof camera, you can even take pictures of what hides beneath the blue, wet blanket.
Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding offers you the optimal environment for meditation.
Photo by Tower Paddle Boards on Unsplash
Much like kayaking, paddleboarding requires a paddle and is relatively easy to learn as a beginner. However, there’s a critical difference between the two. Think of paddleboarding as having a surfboard and a paddle, and you usually stand up to paddle around.
The most significant difference between paddleboarding and kayaking is that the former allows more maneuverability. Since you can stand up, you can even let your paddleboard rest on the water’s surface and enjoy yourself. Some people even manage to go fishing while they’re on their paddleboard.
Also, paddleboards are much easier to carry with you, so if you’re the adventuring type, you might want to learn how to paddleboard.
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding can help you develop your hand-eye coordination and balance.
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Wakeboarding might not be as approachable as paddleboarding or kayaking, given its steep learning curve. However, any previous experience or expertise in boarding might help you overcome that quite well.
In no time, you might start pulling tricks all over the place if you know what you’re doing.
What’s excellent about wakeboarding is that it’s a full-body exercise. You use your arms to hold onto the rope while the rest of your body is balancing itself. If you’re interested in zipping along the surface of the water, give wakeboarding a try.
Hiking
Hiking lowers your risk of heart disease.
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Hiking is a popular outdoor activity worldwide and for people of all shapes, sizes, and ages. You can do it by yourself or with friends and family. You can even go camping after a hike if you want to immerse yourself in nature.
What’s great about hiking is that it can take you to some unique places that you wouldn’t be able to access any other way. With nothing but yourself and your trusty hiking poles, you’ll feel like an adventurer as soon as you reach the end of the trail.
Once you accomplish a stunning but challenging hike, you’re going to have an increased sense of self-confidence.
Golfing
Golfing reduces stress and anxiety.
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Golfing is another low-impact activity that people of any age also can enjoy. It’s one of the most popular recreational sports out there.
Of course, it will rely heavily on the presence of a golf field and your golf equipment. Once you have that setup, you can start learning how to golf soon enough.
Cycling
Improve your joint mobility by cycling.
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Cycling might seem like it would be strenuous to the body, but since the bike serves as a barrier, it’s also a relatively low impact aerobic exercise. If you feel that jogging or running is too harsh on the joints, you can try cycling instead. It’s also fun to do with friends and family.
Outside of exercise, what’s great about cycling is that it can be a transportation mode. It can be as casual or as extreme as you want it to be.
Climbing
Rock climbing helps you improve your self-esteem and mental agility.
Photo by Connor Moynihan on Unsplash
Rock climbing is becoming an increasingly popular activity. Usually, some centers help you learn how to rock climb. However, if you want to do it out in the wilderness, you might want to try its milder cousin, which is Bouldering.
Instead of having to climb rocky mountains from their facade, you can try climbing up boulders.
Jogging
Jogging can also help you improve your heart health and immune system.
Photo by Kate Trifo on Unsplash
What’s excellent about jogging is that it’s reliable and you can do it anywhere. You don’t need any equipment, aside from reliable shoes. Plus, its health benefits are outstanding given how simple it is to do.
You can do it anytime, too, so when you’re feeling a bit too shut-in, you can go for a jog to help lighten the feeling.
Conclusion
Doing physical activity is excellent for your health. However, going outside opens up more opportunities on how you can improve your well-being.
You get to exercise, enjoy the view, and boost your mood.
Thus, if you’re ever interested in changing up your fitness routine, consider incorporating an outdoor activity.
Guest Post by Geraldine Mills