You might’ve started out the summer excited to exercise outside, back before Memorial Day, when the weather was mild, and you had a few extra daylight hours. Then the heat and humidity of July and August struck. And who can blame you for opting to not overexert yourself when the weather is like that? That’s not the kind of sweat session many people idealize!
But now it’s fall, and the cooler temps have you tempted to take your exercise routine outside again. You might be surprised to learn that outdoor exercise offers some health benefits that make it even better than the same activity performed inside.
Here are five incentives to take your exercise routine outside this October:
1. You get exposure to daylight
So much of our day is spent inside, but if you can make your workout dedicated outside time, you can get exposure to sunlight. This boosts your serotonin, which can improve your mood and ward off seasonal depression. Furthermore, getting sufficient exposure to sunlight during your waking hours can help you achieve sleep more easily and sleep peacefully throughout the night.
2. You have easier access
It’s not always easy to get out the door to the gym. But lacing up your walking shoes and hitting the streets around your neighborhood? That’s easy. You don’t have to factor commute time or navigate parking. When you see the outside as your gym instead of the huge building 10 minutes away from home, you have fewer excuses to skip exercise that day.
3. It can be more challenging
Going for a walk or a run on the treadmill gives you a lot of control—you’re on a level surface, in a climate-controlled room, with the ability to adjust your speed very specifically. When you go outside, you have to adjust to the natural incline of a hill, the uneven terrain of a natural trail, or the resistance the wind puts against you. Your body has to adapt, making this environment more fun and challenging.
4. It’s social
One of the reasons parents are often encouraged to get their kids off electronics and outside to play is because it presents an opportunity to bond with their peers. The same rule applies for adults—there might be friends or neighbors who want to join you, which can turn exercise into a social outing. Social interaction is good for your mood and mental health. Plus, this adds a level of accountability.
5. It’s easier to stick with
Because exercising outside is easier, more social, and oftentimes more enjoyable, this makes you much more likely to stick with it. And most exercise enthusiasts will tell you: The best workout is the one you will do consistently.
