We all know that getting outside makes us feel better, if you have had a bad day,  just going for a walk can completely change your mood, and make things feel a little less heavy.

So it makes sense that exercising outside would have many health and mindset benefits too. 

Here are the top 4 reasons you should consider exercising outside. 

Exercising outside helps to ward off (SAD) seasonal affective disorder and improves anxiety and depression symptoms. Exercising in ‘natural environments’ (outside) has been linked to greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement as well as decreased tension, stress and anger. 

An increase in serotonin ( a hormone that affects mood) happens naturally in sunlight, as well as a healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sun, which helps calcium absorption for stronger bones. 

Exercise itself produces endorphins, another feel good hormone that boosts mood and reduces aches and pains. As well as the obvious benefits of improving health and fitness, confidence and meeting new people.

Being outside to exercise allows you to breathe in fresh air as you train. Breathing fresh air improves mood, as well as encouraging diaphragmatic breathing. This means you breathe more deeply, bring more air into the bottom of your lungs, and help to expel more toxins with each exhale. 

There are many many more reasons why you should exercise outside, but these are probably the most important when considering what type of exercise you want to do.