Great Outdoor Activities That Boost Your Well-being
Since your overall well-being is responsible for a happier and more satisfying life, taking care of it makes sense. However, research indicates that although average personal well-being levels are relatively stable, 34% of Brits still experience anxiety, while 25% feel lonely often. However, you can prevent these by spending more time outdoors. Fortunately, several activities can ensure that you’re enjoying your outdoor moments. Here are a few worth considering for the best results.
- Gardening
Although gardening is a great way to enhance your home’s exterior appeal, its benefits transcend that. Gardening is a well-rounded exercise that improves your endurance, flexibility, and strength while reducing your risk of developing heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other medical conditions. It’s also excellent for the mind; it encourages you to focus on your tasks, reducing negative feelings and improving your mood. Moreover, growing your plants can improve your self-esteem. So, you want to consider gardening if you haven’t already. Admittedly, it may feel challenging if it’s your first time or if you feel that you aren’t good with plants. But you can succeed with the right techniques.
Begin by investing in easier-to-maintain plants, and proceed to other species when you are better at gardening. You can consider the following options; catmint, fuchsia, African daisy, nasturtiums, alliums, Mexican orange blossoms, etc. Now, it’s prudent to take baby steps instead of taking on tasks that may prove overwhelming in the long run. Consequently, purchase quality gardening tools, choose a good spot with enough sunlight and prepare your soil. Feeding and watering your plants is also essential to their healthy growth. Fortunately, several online resources can help you start your gardening journey, so feel free to leverage them.
- Hiking
If you have a tight work schedule, it’s only a matter of time before the stress piles up. And stress is linked to inadequate sleep, unhealthy behaviour and poor moods. However, regularly hiking can help you clear your mind and reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels. Likewise, the physical assertion associated with hiking can prepare your body for a great night’s sleep. It also decreases depression and anxiety by letting you quieten your mind and enter a meditative state. Since the goal is to unwind and relax in nature, you’ll find it helpful to start according to your current pace. This is because doing more than you can handle may ruin the experience while exhausting you. It’s also prudent to acquaint yourself with the trail and consider the weather before starting your hiking adventure.
You also want to equip yourself with the right items for a more comfortable experience. Ensure that you bring a compass, map, flashlight, sunscreen, sunglasses, food, water, extra clothing, first aid supplies, emergency shelter, etc. Wearing the right footwear will prevent your feet from getting sore or forming blisters, so keep this in mind. Consequently, inform your family and friends of your hiking trip, and use communication devices to help you contact them when you have an emergency.
- Travelling
Medical Travel research indicated that 96% of Brits considered overseas travel beneficial for their mental health. Indeed, travelling can help you eliminate the boredom accompanied by a monotonous schedule, as you get to interact with diverse people and experience new things. Moreover, you can easily declutter your mind and boost your cognitive function on a trip. This, in turn, can boost your ability to create innovative solutions to whatever challenges you face. You’re also more exposed to enough sunlight, which gives you a daily dose of vitamin D and promotes the promotion of serotonin. These, in turn, elevate your mood and give you a positive outlook on life. One good thing about travelling is deciding what activities to enjoy. For instance, you’d prefer destinations with adventure spots if you need a good adrenaline rush. On the other hand, embarking on humanitarian trips will be more beneficial if you wish to assist those in need.
To get started, research your destination before travelling to discover the safest places to lodge in or explore. Consequently, make photocopies of important documents as a backup in case your original ones get missing. You also want to update your loved ones on your travel and send them your itinerary if possible. Regarding security, secure your hotel room by locking the windows and doors. Also, avoid letting anyone into your room, as criminals can easily disguise themselves as hotel staff. As a tip, use a VPN when accessing public wifi to prevent hackers from stealing valuable data.
***this is a collaborative post
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