Are you tired of the same monotonous workouts at the gym? Do you want to mix up your routine and take in some fresh air while working on your fitness goals? Perhaps it is time to take your workouts outdoors and incorporate mindfulness into your routine.

Whether you are new to the concept of mindfulness or have been actively practicing it, this post will walk you through the benefits of infusing mindfulness into your outdoor workouts. So, grab your yoga mat and let’s dive into why mindfulness matters.

Exercise and Mindfulness 🤸‍♀️🧘‍♂️

Exercise – a way to active physical and mental health. We all know that exercise is beneficial to our well-being, but how often are we truly present and aware during our workouts? When we exercise with mindfulness, we become fully present in the moment and aware of our surroundings, connecting with our bodies in a way that goes beyond just physical activity.

Mindfulness helps us to develop a better understanding of our bodies, allowing us to fine-tune our movements, improve our posture and breathing, and avoid injury. When we exercise mindfully, we also become more aware of how our body feels and respond accordingly.

Person meditating in the mountains

Breathing Techniques 🌬️

Our breath is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect with our bodies during workouts, and it’s also one of the most overlooked. Mindful breathing is about intentionally focusing on our breath. It means breathing in and out slowly, deeply, and purposefully.

By practicing mindful breathing during exercise, we can train our bodies to respond to physical activity in a more relaxed way, reducing stress levels, and increasing endurance.

Person taking a deep breath and holding it

Awareness of Nature 🌳

Outdoor workouts provide us with so many opportunities to reconnect with nature, but how often are we truly aware of our surroundings? Taking time to immerse oneself fully in the natural environment is beneficial to our mental health and well-being.

When we exercise outside, we can benefit from the calming effects of nature, which helps in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Next time you’re outside, take a moment to fully engage with your surroundings by observing the colors, textures, and sounds of nature.

Person walking on a mountain trail while observing nature

Concentration 🧐

Mindfulness during outdoor workouts teaches us to focus on the task at hand. When our minds wander, we lose the connection with our bodies, reducing the effectiveness of the workout. So, it’s crucial to focus on our breathing and movements.

When we concentrate on our breathing, we keep focused on the present moment, which helps keep the mind and body connected and helps in avoiding distractions.

Person balancing on a leg while lifting a dumbbell

Final Thoughts 🤔

Incorporating mindfulness into your outdoor workouts can help you develop a deeper connection with your body and nature, reduce stress, and improve your overall fitness and well-being. So, if you want to shake things up, take your workouts outside, and practice some mindfulness techniques.

Remember, the most vital aspect of practicing mindfulness is being kind and gentle on ourselves, and without judgment of our thoughts and experiences 💜.

Person sitting on the beach while overlooking the ocean.

Let us know in the comments below if you already incorporate mindfulness into your workouts, or if you’re excited to give it a try!

📷 Main Image Credit: Photo by i yunmai on Unsplash

References

  • Curtis, K. (2018). The benefits of mindfulness during exercise. Retrieved from https://www.openfit.com/the-benefits-of-mindfulness-during-exercise
  • Harvard Health. (2021). Mindfulness meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967.

Blog Image Credit: Photo by Mor Shani on Unsplash