5 Outdoor Activities to Help You Relax

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5 Outdoor Activities to Help You Relax

Many studies and personal experiences have found getting outdoors helps people relax. There is something deeply therapeutic about breathing fresh air into your lungs, stretching out your legs and enjoying the surroundings. Here are some fun ways to relieve stress and help you relax in the great outdoors.

1. Fishing
The great thing about fishing as an activity is its versatility. You can fish alone or as a group, on land or on a boat, in the river or out on the ocean. All you need is a little bit of patience and the right equipment. Online stores likeMOTackle make it easy to get the right products for your next fishing trip (for some examples, see here). For the more adventurous, you can even combine your fishing trips with another activity, like kayaking. After just a few hours out on or near the water, your troubles will feel a mile away.

2. Camping
Sleeping in the outdoors is very calming for many people. Getting away from the constant distractions of home can help to reset your body clock, which can help you get more sleep. At home, your circadian rhythms are disrupted by artificial lighting and the glow of your smartphone, TV or tablet. The absence of artificial lighting while camping means you will be sleeping when it is dark and waking once it is daylight. This helps your body relax and reset – naturally.

3. Surfing
There is a good reason surfing culture is associated with a laidback attitude. Surfing is a low-impact form of exercise that can help to relieve stress and leave you feeling calm and relaxed. Catching a decent wave and paddling back out to the break is enough to put a smile on most people’s faces, commonly referred to as ‘surf stoke’. The release of serotonin and endorphins helps the body to feel good. Don’t know how to surf? There are plenty of classes to teach you how to paddle out and catch your first wave.

4. Gardening
There is something deeply satisfying about growing your own garden. A combination of physical activity, stimulation of the senses and the satisfaction of a job well done contribute to the release of feel-good chemicals in the body. These chemicals help the body to relax and keep stress at bay. Regular gardening work also gets you out enjoying the fresh air more often.

5. Walking
A humble walk can be a very relaxing activity, either on your own or with a group of people. Getting out in the fresh air clears the mind and the gentle exercise allows you to stretch out your muscles and can help you sleep better at night. Walking is an activity often recommended for sufferers of anxiety and stress because natural surroundings can help to calm the mind. Deep breaths can also help to relieve any tension while you walk.

When you need to get away from the hustle and commotion of everyday life, an outdoor activity can have you feeling rested and relaxed in no time. What are some of your favourite outdoor activities to help you relax?