Nature and Nurture

Outdoor Activities To Improve Your Mental Health

Spending time outdoors has been shown to help with various mental health problems including anxiety and depression. Studies have also found that spending just 20 minutes in nature can be enough to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels in the brain.Finding outdoor activities that you enjoy can be an excellent way to improve your fitness levels and boost your mood and overall well-being. Participating in outdoor activities can also give you a much-needed break from your daily schedule and allow you to make connections with people in your local area. To help you look and feel your best, here are some of the best outdoor activities to consider:

Gardening

Gardening is an extremely popular outdoor activity for many reasons. Firstly, it allows you to spend time outdoors enjoying nature. This can have a positive impact on your mental health and well-being. Experts at Mowers online explain how - “The relaxation from gardening can increase the dopamine and lower cortisone in addition to increasing the values of seroton in.” They add - “Gardening is also seen as a type of meditation by many.” Gardening also allows you to create a beautiful outdoor space where you can entertain guests or spend quality time with your family members. Having a well-maintained garden can also boost your property value and make your home appeal more to potential buyers if you decide to sell in the future. You can easily improve your gardening skills by researching online and reading gardening blogs and forums. Many gardening centres also offer workshops where you can learn basic and advanced gardening skills and get advice from experts.

Team Sports

Team sports offers the chance to develop your skills, improve your fitness levels, and meet new people in your community. Recent research by the University of Sunshine Coast shows that over 90% of adults participated in sport and or physical activities. Of this 50% of women and 58% of men participated in sport-related activities. Some of the most popular group sports include football, rugby, netball, and basketball. There is a huge variety of sports to choose from and most teams accept people of all abilities. This means that you can get involved no matter what your fitness level. Taking part in a regular sporting activity can be an excellent way to stay physically fit and achieve your fitness goals, whether this is to lose weight, increase stamina, or build muscle mass. Along with the physical benefits, taking part in sports can also boost your mental health by reducing stress and boosting your confidence and self-esteem.

Hiking

Many people enjoy hiking during their spare time. Going on a hike is a simple and affordable way to enjoy the great outdoors and get the benefits of being in nature. There is an impressive 15 National Parks in Australia that offer fantastic hiking trails and spectacular natural scenery. Getting your family together and going on a hike at the weekend can be a great way to exercise and spend quality time together. You will also have the opportunity to take part in fun outdoor activities such as sailing, cycling, and ziplining. If you enjoy hiking, then you should consider booking a walking holiday. The Australia offers some beautiful countryside destinations and a walking holiday will allow you to escape your usual routine and enjoy some peace and relaxation in a natural setting. You also have the option to book a group walking holiday and meet other travellers with similar interests.

Trampolining

Trampolining is great for good health. Not only is it good fun but it is great for cardiovascular health, it can help improved your endurance, and relieves stress. How good is that? Trampoline Gymnastics is a skill. It is a fantastic fun and safe sport for kids to get involved in. Is this something you and your family may enjoy? Why not check out your local swing set or get involved in the monkey bars at the park. Every thought of providing a safe space to play in your backyard? Exercise can be great for your families mental health, so it is worthwhile thinking about it.

Water Sports

Spending time in water can be a great way to relax and the soothing properties of water have been shown to boost mood and reduce feelings of stress. The ocean, lakes, and poolsall offer the opportunity to participate in outdoor water sports such as swimming or sailing. Swimming is an excellent source of exercise because it works almost every muscle in the body. This helps to increase your physical stamina and naturally burn calories. There are also many different adrenaline watersports that you can try including jet skiing, water skiing, and whitewater rafting. These exciting activities will allow you to enjoy time outdoors and have lots of fun in the process.

Final Thoughts

Spending time in nature offers many benefits to both your physical and mental health. Overall, participating in outdoor activities can be an excellent way to stay fit,improve your mental well-being, and socialise with like-minded people. Above area few examples of outdoor activities, but there are plenty of others to choose from. Try a few different outdoor activities to find one that suits your particular interests.

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