It’s hard to believe that we live in a time where many people spend more time on their phones than they do outside. This is why it is so crucial for those who want to keep up with our healthy lifestyle or those trying to get back into the swing of things after a long break to find ways of staying active and engaged with nature.
There are many benefits associated with this type of exercise, but before we go into that, let’s talk about some sports that will help you stay connected.
Sports That’ll Help You Connect With Nature
Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash
1. Mountain biking
Mountain biking involves riding bicycles off-road, usually on dirt trails. It started as a recreational activity for bikers who wanted to explore the outdoors and enjoy fun competitions with friends or family.
However, it has quickly developed from an informal interest to a serious sport that attracts enthusiasts from all over the world. There are many different types of mountain bikes available, including downhill, trail, and cross country.
Mountain biking is a great way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while also getting some exercise during your day. Who said that you can live an active lifestyle by just working out indoors or in a gym?
You can get outside and stay fit at the same time. While most other sports require high energy consumption while playing them, that doesn’t have to happen with biking. Mountain bikes can be used on almost any terrain, so players don’t have to worry about where the game will occur.
2. Jogging
Jogging has been considered one of the best ways to stay fit throughout history. According to studies, jogging has several health benefits to your body. It keeps our muscles toned and healthy. But what’s better about jogging outdoors?
Seeing nature from up close as we jog along trails or even roads can be very refreshing both physically and mentally, giving us a new perspective on things with every step taken. There’s no need to jog on one sport. The fresh air helps bring down stress levels, so doctors recommend outdoor activities like jogging for their patients.
The best part about rock climbing is that there are always routes for you, no matter your current ability level. Whether you have been into this already or just started it out, it’s essential not to ignore other participants, even if they happen to be at different levels.
Everyone wants and deserves their fair share of space when scaling up any wall so try not to get too competitive unless you wish others were mocking you once they’ve reached the top before you do.
Try this nature sports activity and enjoy the benefits that it comes with.
4. Swimming
Swimming may seem like an obvious sport, but it happens to be the ideal form of cardiovascular activity for everyone, regardless of age or health condition. Your body becomes partially supported by water, which allows you to move much more freely than when on land.
Swimming can be done anytime during the year, depending on where you live. However, try to swim outdoors rather than indoors wherever possible. There are various benefits associated with exercising in front of fresh air (and natural light).
It’s crucial that if you’re not used to doing laps in open waters, then ensure that someone accompanies you until they feel comfortable enough paddling by themselves.
5. Hillwalking/Trekking
If hiking happens to be an activity that doesn’t appeal to you, then perhaps hillwalking is the perfect alternative. It’s similar to hiking in that you walk up hills or mountain trails.
However, it has a much more laid-back approach since most routes are not very steep, and there’s generally plenty of time given for taking photos along with breaks at specific intervals. There are people who may not love the idea of walking long distances because they think it will make them tired. However, many people tend to forget how energized they feel when reaching their destination.
Plus, if you’re lucky enough, this might happen sooner rather than later. Rock climbing tends to have an element of danger associated with it which means participants need to possess some level of experience before doing something like this.
On the other hand, hillwalking does not carry the same risks and is therefore much easier to get started with it.
Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash
6. Kayaking/Canoeing
Even if it isn’t summertime anymore, there are still plenty of opportunities for kayaking.
Whether you paddle along calm waters in a mountainous region or down rapids through white-water streams, canoeing is a fantastic experience that also happens to be very good for your body. Not only do you get to be in nature, but it is also a great weight-bearing exercise.
7. Pickleball Game
Pickleball is a team sport, somewhat similar to tennis and badminton, and played with a paddle (similar in shape and size as a ping pong paddle).
A small ball (a whiffle ball) is hit back and forth over a net. The court is 78 feet (23 meters) long by 27 feet (8 meters) wide. Competitive pickleball is played with two, three, or four players on each side. The court is 20 feet (6 meters) wider than a badminton court and has no back boundary lines.
As recommended by GameQuarium, it is important to have the right pickleball set when playing pickleball. This includes pickleball paddles, pickle balls, pickleball net, and pickleball court shoes.
Remember to take care of your mental and physical health by engaging with nature. These sports will help you stay active and physically fit, while also providing a healthy lifestyle for yourself. With these tips in mind, we hope that you can find an activity that suits you best. We wish you the very best on your journey towards self-care.
So what are some nature sports that you love to help you live a healthy lifestyle? Feel free to share them below.
