Outdoor Exercise For Mental Health

There are so many excellent outdoor opportunities for exercise. Some people are avid hikers, whereas others are devoted outdoor bikers or runners. Perhaps, you live in an area with plentiful opportunities to go swimming, or maybe, you like to take long walks. Either way, there’s a vast range of benefits when it comes to spending time outside, and outdoor environments provide an attractive atmosphere for physical activity. But, you might wonder, in what ways does spending time outside benefit your mental health?

How Outdoor Physical Activity Supports Mental Health

Here are some research-backed ways that being in an outdoor environment can support mental health: 

• Research indicates that outdoor physical activity can help to improve your mood.
• When compared to walks in urban environments, nature walks, in particular, are shown to decrease anxiety, negative affect, and rumination. 
• Various studies confirm that nature can reduce stress levels, support memory, and improve focus or concentration. Being outside can even lower your cortisol levels.

If you haven’t already, consider adding outdoor activities into your rotation. It’s an opportunity to try something new if you’re used to exercising indoors, and as you can see, getting outside when you can is an excellent way to support your mental well-being. That said, everyone needs additional support from time to time, and although it can be an incredible tool, there are times when exercise and time outdoors can’t do it all.

Finding What Works For You

Not everyone has the privilege of exercising outdoors on a regular basis. You might be in an area or situation where indoor exercise is preferable to you due to safety or where it’s what’s most readily available to you. If that’s the case, don’t fear; physical activity is incredibly advantageous either way, and it’s a fantastic modality of stress relief. Finding what works for you is what’s important, and above all else, exercise should be safe and enjoyable. This is true both for whether you engage in physical activity outdoors or indoors and what kind of exercise works for you in terms of the activities you’re drawn to. Additionally, when it comes to mental health, although exercise is an incredible way to take care of your mental and physical well-being, it isn’t a replacement for professional support when you need it. Mental and physical well-being go hand in hand, and if you’re in need of additional support, therapy can help. Make it a practice to check in with your body and your mind, and never hesitate to reach out.

Find A Therapist 

Mental health therapy can help with a wide variety of concerns, including but not limited to stress, difficulties with sleep, romantic relationships, familial concerns, mental health conditions, and more. To find a therapist, there are a variety of routes you can take. You can ask a doctor for a referral to a counselor or therapist, contact your insurance company to see who they cover, search the web for a provider near you, use an online directory, or use an online therapy platform with licensed providers such as MyTherapist. Online therapy is often more affordable than traditional in-person counseling or therapy is in the absence of insurance, and when you use a platform like MyTherapist, finding the right fit is easy. When you sign up, you’ll take a questionnaire that’ll help you pair with a provider who meets your needs. You can switch therapists or cancel services at any time, and of course, an added bonus is that you’ll never have to commute to appointments. You can also find advice on the MyTherapist website that provides insight into therapy, mental health, and more. Whether you see a mental health provider online or near you, you deserve to get the support that you need.