secret to feeling better

Want to know my secret to feeling better?? . . . . . .

WALKING!

Mind blowing right?! Haha no, it’s not. At all. Yet many people aren’t doing it.

As long as you’re physically able and in a safe place, it’s pretty darn easy to go for a walk. It doesn’t have to be fast, long, or grueling whatsoever and can still have remarkable health benefits.

Feeling anxious? Go for a walk.

Feeling sad? Go for a walk.

Feeling stressed? Go for a walk.

Feeling angry? Go for a walk.

Feeling tired? Go for a walk.

Oftentimes when we feel these unpleasant emotions, we reach for other things. Things we know are only temporary fixes, sometimes with negative longterm effects. But what if you tried getting up, going outside, and moving your body for a few minutes first next time? Maybe eventually you’ll be depending on that vice way less, or maybe even not at all.

The more you walk the better you’ll feel. Not only will your mental well-being improve, you’ll also be decreasing your risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cognitive impairment, and dementia. (1)

Next time you’re feeling lousy, remember my “secret” and go for a stroll. Then get back to your life and continue crushing it, because that’s where your energy is best spent!

GET TO STEPPIN

Warm weather has arrived! Weather you like it or not 😊 . . . it’s here.

Warmer weather makes it easier to do one of the simplest, most effective things you can do for your overall health: walk!

And for bonus points, get a walk in first thing in the morning. I know this isn’t possible for everyone depending on schedules, kids, and life. But if you can, starting your day with a walk is so beneficial for your fitness and wellbeing. Why?

• exposing yourself to morning sunlight helps regulate your sleep

• you’ll increase your daily step count

• morning movement will make you feel energized

• getting outside will boost your mood

For most people, walking is not only doable - it’s easy! If you can’t do it in the morning, get it in when you can. If your schedule allows, try adding a morning walk to your day.

So throw on some headphones and get to steppin. I think you’ll notice a nice change!

6 REASONS TO BRING YOUR WORKOUT OUTDOORS

As the summer is winding down, the fall weather is finally here. That means that it's time to get back outside and enjoy the sunny, 70 degree days. Even better news, you can bring your workouts outdoors again! Here are our top 6 reasons why you should move your workout outside:

1 - Absorb some of that healthy sunlight

Sunlight, through Vitamin D, helps us fight feelings of depression and heart disease. The UVB rays in sunlight work with the cholesterol in our skin to produce Vitamin D within the kidneys and liver. Along with the natural production of Vitamin D, sunlight also helps to lower blood pressure, in turn reducing the risk of heart disease. With sunlight, your body releases a compound called nitric oxide that causes the blood vessels to dilate. As such, the blood pressure is lowered, leading to overall healthiness and a longer life. Sunshine also is a mood booster that helps you fight depression. Ever notice that slump you fall in during the cold and dreary, winter months? That is because your body is not producing as much serotonin, a neurotransmitter with an effect of calmness, due to this lack of sunshine

2 - Lower your stress levels

“Various studies have shown that activities performed in the "wilderness or urban nature areas" show results of reduced stress. According to other studies published by the Journal of Environmental Psychology, people feel "more alive" when they take their workouts outdoors. They even showed that a person who walked outside reported more enjoyment and received higher results on vitality and energy tests (lower anxiety and depression) than a person who walked inside on a treadmill.”

3 - Room to Move

“There's no denying the energy of a Heat workout in the studio - but bringing your training outdoors to an open field or park will allow you to move in some ways that are limited indoors. Challenging exercises such as sled pushes and pulls, hill sprints, ladder drills, and medicine ball throws to name a few are all much easier accessed at an outdoor workout. Also, while treadmills are great great training tools, they are no match for real running outdoors.

4 - Fresh Air

While we work hard to keep our gym clean, there is no denying the benefits of getting outside for some fresh air. The EPA found that indoor air is 2 -5 times more polluted than outdoor air. If you have a typical job, you probably spend at least 8 hours each day - so the fresh air could do your body good!

5 - Change of Scenery

A change of pace can be crucial to keeping your workout routine interesting, thus keeping you motivated to stick with it for the long haul. Getting outside is one the best ways to break up the monotony of your typical workout. Luckily for us, the city of Raleigh is filled with great parks (Halifax and Fletcher, to name a few), along with greenways, trails, rivers and lakes. There's no better time to take advantage of all of these opportunities than this time of year in NC.

6 - Fun!

Let's not forget that working out should be enjoyable! What are some of your favorite outdoor activities? Whether it's playing organized sports, swimming, running, or one of the many other options we have access to here in Raleigh -- grab a workout partner or two, get out in the sunshine and move! If your exercise routine puts a smile on your face, you'll be much more likely to stick with it.

This Fall, break the routine and get outside and move! You’ll be glad you did.