Here are some benefits of exercising outdoors.
1. Reduce stress and anxiety
Exercising outdoors reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and improves mood, says exercise physiologist Dr. Todd Buckingham.
2. Extend your workout time
Fresh air can make us spend more time working out than we intended, says fitness trainer Brianna Bernard.
3. Improve sleep
Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm, so exercising outdoors is better for sleep than exercising indoors, says Dr. Buckingham.
4. May enhance vitamin D absorption
Vitamin D is found in fatty fish, fish oils, and dairy products, but your body also produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Exercising in the sun can help you get more vitamin D.
5. May improve memory
Exercising outdoors increases blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, which helps improve fatigue and helps focus attention, says Dr. Buckingham.
