Whether you enjoy a horse trek, a gentle bike ride, or an hour’s yoga in your garden, fresh air and sunlight boast many benefits you’ll want to make the most of. Clear your lungs, boost your energy, strengthen your immune system, and sleep better when adding outdoor activities into your weekly wellbeing routine.
What is wellbeing?
Wellbeing means both your physical and mental health. Working on your overall wellbeing means including healthy habits in your everyday routine, improving your physical strength and mood simultaneously.
1. Walking
Never underestimate the impact that walking or hiking can have on your health and wellbeing. Walking, even lightly, provides cardiovascular exercise and can help manage conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol, joint pain, and diabetes. As well as your physical health, a walk can be excellent for your mental wellbeing. The combination of physical exercise, daylight, and fresh air can reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue, as well as improving your self-esteem and sleep quality.
You can enjoy these benefits wherever you walk, but get out into a park or the countryside if you can. Many UK cities boast proximity to beautiful natural landscapes, so you can usually drive or hop on a train to a rural area if you’re based somewhere urban. Or stick to the streets and enjoy little pleasures like picking up a takeout coffee or some fresh flowers to brighten up your day.
2. Horseback riding
If you have the means, horseback riding is an excellent outdoor activity with a wealth of health benefits. A gentle trek or a more intense ride can help build your core strength, improve coordination, and work on your flexibility. The physical benefits are clear, but did you know that horse riding can improve your mental health, too? Equine therapy is a practice used to develop self-control, trust, and empathy. Horses are often gentle and peaceful, encouraging riders to feel relaxed and happy during and after an adventure. Horseback riding also means plenty of fresh air and daylight, which can further boost your wellbeing.
3. Cycling
Riding a pushbike, whether you take it for a short spin or head out on a more extended adventure, is a brilliant way to get your heart pumping. There’s a reason that spinning classes are so popular! If you want a cardiovascular boost from your outdoor activity, cycling is a sure-fire way to get things moving. Choosing a ride outside over a gym class provides the added benefits of fresh air, sunlight, and an exciting change of scenery. That means a bike ride beats a spin class when it comes to your wellness overall, although both are excellent for fitness.
Whether you’re looking to cycle around a city or the countryside, you can find lots of tailor-made cycle lanes and trails to explore. If you are based in a more urban area, it can be a good idea to head out early in the morning to meet less road traffic on your journey.
4. Yoga
Yoga is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. And it doesn’t need to be too physically taxing, which means the practice is an ideal addition to anyone’s routine. Whether you keep things calm with a relaxing yin yoga routine or step it up with a vinyasa set, there’s a branch of yoga out there for everyone. Do a little research and discover the practice that’s right for you, then take a look at classes and programmes online. You can find many excellent yoga classes in apps or video sharing websites, so you don’t need to visit a gym to be led by a professional instructor.
To get even more out of your yoga practice, take your mat outside and find somewhere suitable to practice in the sun. If the UV is intense, it’s a good idea to find a shady spot to enjoy your yoga. Taking yoga outside means blending the many benefits of this ancient practice with the proven aids of fresh air and natural light. You’re sure to feel fantastic after a park, garden, or balcony yoga session, no matter how gentle.
5. Enjoy a picnic or drink
Boosting your wellbeing isn’t all about exercise. It’s about improving how you feel and maintaining balanced mental health. For a straightforward pick-me-up, head outside with your lunch or a flask of your favourite hot drink. Enjoy a short walk, whether you’re based in a town, city, village, or the countryside. Just 15 minutes of walking gets your blood circulating and can significantly impact your mood. Find somewhere to settle down and enjoy your refreshments. Whether you take this option by yourself or with a friend, you’re likely to feel refreshed and relaxed when you arrive back home.
Outdoor activities in the city
Finding things to do outside can seem more straightforward when you’re in the countryside. But UK cities, like London, are excellent places to enjoy some fresh air and adventure. You might choose any of our suggestions to enjoy in London, which boasts plenty of parks, cycling trails, and even horse stables. Why not plan a short break in London and make the most of what the capital has to offer. Our Sofitel St James hotel is ready and waiting to elevate your trip, serving you five-star luxury from the moment you arrive.
