Ask any person who exercises on a regular basis, and he or she will tell you that the benefits of a good workout go far beyond the physical. Many people end their workday with a trip to the gym. Doing so helps them to clear their head of the days’ frustrations, gives them more energy to face the evening ahead, calms them down, and improves their mood. It is also a complete departure from sitting at a desk all day.
While any exercise can be helpful, research has shown that where you exercise can make a big difference in the benefits derived from a workout session. A psychologist at an East Coast university tracked hormonal and mood changes in a group of runners who participated in 3 different jogs:
v Outdoors,
v Indoors, on a treadmill, while listening to “sounds of nature”
v Indoors, on a treadmill, while listening to the sound of their own heartbeats.
Can you guess which jog proved to be the most beneficial? The outdoor jog. Levels of the positive mood hormones adrenaline and noradrenalin were up, while the levels of the stress hormone cortisol are down in those who had jogged outside.
It seems environment really matters. Whether you’re exercising or just taking a few moments to relax with a cup of tea, where you do it can be as nearly as important as why and how you do it. Take a delightful, stimulating spot for your getaway, and make the most of your break.
As children, we often asked our neighborhood friends, “Can you come out and play?” it’s still a good question to ask.
