Leaving the house doesn’t always mean getting fresh air. We venture from one central-air until to the next, in our heated or air-conditioned vehicles, going from home to the yoga studio to our office to our office to a restaurant to back home. The hard truth is that the large majority of us need more excuses to get fresh air, but with so many suggested wellness practices in our world, how do we balance and prioritize them for our best selves?
There are numerous studies showing that getting outdoors and in nature, or environments with elements of nature, is essential for our cognitive and physical well-being. We all make it a point to get exercise, whether it’s to maintain physiological function, meet muscle gains, or fit in a dress. So why not combine the two for major mental and physical benefits? Here are some of our favorite ideas to keep up with a committed fitness routine and get some fresh air.
Outdoor benchwork
Not a fan of the gym but love the bench? No worries. Public benches aren’t just for loitering. Take a stroll to your neighborhood park and claim a bench for the next 20 minutes. Do step-ups, knee-ups, leg lifts, butt lifts, tricep dips, and incline pushups, just for a few suggestions. Do 10-15 reps of each exercise of your choice, for three rounds total.
Hiking
Obviously, hiking isn’t new, but it also doesn’t require all the backpacking-esque gear typical non-hikers associate with large-scale production. In fact, most urban-adjacent hikes are really just a glorified nature walk, with some incline if you’re lucky. All you need is some supportive, grippy sneakers and a water bottle to get some fresh air, views and cardio.
Swimming
This one tends to be more of a production for those who value their haircare, so save it for the hair-washing days. However, frequently swimming is a unique kind of resistance training that creates long, lean lines and a resilient respiratory system.
Outdoor yoga
Take your yoga practice outside. If you have a yard, great. A balcony, excellent. But feel free to find an area in a park, or somewhere in nature even more secluded to listen to the birds and wind and really connect with the earth and your practice. You may find that “flow state” is much more accessible when you’re able to get grounded, on the ground.
Bike
Even if the city streets feel chaotic, even the most populated areas have bike-friendly areas and trails that are safe for, and possibly designed exclusively for, biking.
Work out in the sand
If you’re lucky enough to live in a coastal region or somewhere with soft, deep sand, use it to your advantage! The sand provides natural resistance, making running or volleyball that much more impactful.
Grass squats
Kick off your shoes in a flat grassy area and do a squad circuit. Get those powerful negative ions that counteract all our daily EMF exposure and stress, straight from the earth connecting with your bare feet. This also tests your stability as you connect with the ground underneath you, forcing you to focus more on form than speeding through it. Cycle in reps of regular squats, jump squats, plie squats, pistol squats, and more, completing three rounds before a stretch and walk home.
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