Alternate ways to get that needed exercise and improve mental health!
There’s no denying it, exercise and physical activity are good for your health. Sitting in front of screens all day with little to no movement doesn’t do a body any good. While the physical benefits are obvious, exercise can also be beneficial when it comes to mental health as it can help relieve stress.
When most people think about exercise and physical fitness, they think about gyms filled with weight racks and treadmills. And let’s be honest, it’s hard to stay motivated enough to go to the gym consistently. But physical activity doesn’t have to only be done in the gym. There are tons of alternative ways to get moving without having to step foot in the gym.
Take a Hike
With the weather turning cooler, it’s a perfect time to find a local trail and go for a hike. Hiking is a great way to get out into nature while getting those steps in at the same time. Hikes vary by length and difficulty, so no matter the level you’re at, you can find something that works. The AllTrails app is a great resource to find hikes nearby, see the level of difficulty, and check out reviews from fellow hikers.
Ride a Bike
Get your bike and find a trail or simply ride around your neighborhood. If possible, riding a bike is a great alternative form of transportation to a car or metro because it gets you to where you need to be while also getting you some movement. Don’t have a bike? Rent one. A lot of the big cities across the U.S. have bikes scattered throughout the city that you can rent for a few hours.
Jump Rope
Talk about a childhood throwback, but jump roping can help you hit those movement goals. It’s a sneaky way to get in that cardio and it’s honestly really fun to see how long you can go without messing up. It’s also very affordable. No need to spend tons on expensive cardio machines when you can get that heart rate up with a simple jump rope.
Kayak
Kayaking may look easy, but it will get your arm muscles feeling real tired if you do it long enough. Buying a kayak can get a little expensive but if you don’t want to commit to purchasing one, there are places you can rent from. Usually, rentals are per hour and you can even make it a social sport by renting a double kayak with a friend.
Written by: Dr. John Tantillo
“John Tantillo, Ph.D. is a TV, Radio and Social Media Branding Expert with over 30 years experience in Behavioral Health Care Branding”
