Calming Outdoor Activities For The Summer

Doesn't that couple  look relaxed and are having a good time ? Summer is a fun season with lots of activities to do and that can tire you out and make you stressed. So, you need time to relax and unwind while still getting exercise in the picture. So, we did some research and found a great article from Huffington Post lifestyle that gives you some calming outdoor activities to try.



1) Walk In the Park

Taking a 30-minute stroll through the park can shift your mind into a state of zen. Recent U.K. research found that walking through green spaces can help put the brain into a state of meditation.


2) Gardening
Gardening can be a form of meditation that allows you to spend time in nature while immersing yourself in a calming activity. One study from the Netherlands found that gardening can decrease cortisol levels and boost mood among people who had just completed a stressful task. Even 30 minutes of leisure reading didn't provide the same stress-relieving benefits, Health.com reported.


3) Yoga
Yoga can be an effective stress reliever, and you can make your practice even more relaxing during the summer by moving outside. Bring your mat to a park in the morning when it's quiet and practice these stress-busting yoga moves, or find a local studio that offers "Yoga in the Park" classes.

   4) Taking The Dog Out

In addition to enjoying the tension-busting advantages of walking in nature, spending time with a pet can also help ease anxiety and calm the mind. A 2002 SUNY Buffalo study found that conducting difficult tasks becomes less stressful when a pet is present.

"While the idea of a pet as social support may appear to some as a peculiar notion, our participants' responses to stress, combined with their descriptions of the meaning of pets in their lives, suggest to us that social support can indeed cross species," writes lead author Karen Allen, Ph.D., in the study published in the journal of Psychosomatic Medicine.

5) Explore A New Bike Path

This is one summer activity that's good for the mind and the body, especially outside on a sunny day. Physical activity -- and cardio exercise in particular -- can boost self-confidence and improve symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety, on top of the added benefits of being outdoors.

6) Outdoor Meditation

 

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol -- and spending time in nature can also slash anxiety.Find a quiet spot in your backyard or the park and try this "Sounds and Thoughts" meditation from Mindfulness author Danny Penman. The guided meditation can help you to calm your mind by shifting attention to the ambient sounds around you.

 

These activities can assist you in feeling calm while keeping a healthy lifestyle intact. Be sure to enjoy your summer and RELAX ! If you would like to contact us with any questions or feedback you can reach us by email.

Thank you for visiting !

Joseph A. Jones & The WellLife Team