Recharge your health

By Rebecca Speechley

Exercise

26 March 2009 17:05

Feel happier, lose weight, get stronger. The warmer weather is finally here and you can get outside to soak up the youth boosting benefits.

There’s simply no reason to stay cooped up inside on a bright spring day – or a dull one for that matter. Now that the chill is gone from the air we should all be making an effort to get outside each and every day. Why? Because being outside in the fresh air, near to nature, with the glow of sunshine on our skin could provide us with all sorts of health and anti-ageing benefits. Make the effort and here’s what you can expect…

Live longer

Get off your sofa and pop outside for a few hours each week and you could add a few healthy years to your life. That’s because you’ll be topping up your quota of super nutrient vitamin D. Not having enough vitamin D has been associated with an increased risk of age-related health problems such as heart disease and some cancers. Plus researchers at King’s College London found that if you get enough vitamin D you could slow down the ageing process and be biologically up to five years younger than people who don’t get their quota. A staggering 90 per cent of your body's intake of vitamin D is created by your skin when it’s exposed to sunlight. Even on overcast days you’ll be topping up your levels. Take care not to burn – just ten minutes of sunlight a day on your face and arms between April and October should give you enough.

Be happier

Spend more time outdoors and you should see a positive change in your mood according to researchers at Essex University. They found that being near nature has a beneficial effect on our wellbeing. Exercise outside too and you’ll feel even happier and much less stressed because both physical activity and being in the fresh air help to ease anxiety and improve your mental state. Make a walk in the park a weekly treat. Contact Walking the Way to Health on 0300 060 2287 or at www.whi.org.uk to find out about organised health walks in your area.

Get stronger

Obviously to find some extra strength you need to do some weight bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, jogging or playing tennis. But, did you know that if you take your workout outside you could get stronger faster? It all comes down to vitamin D again. Along with slowing the ageing process it could help to strengthen your bones and help you to build muscle too. Up to 80 per cent of us have vitamin D levels that are considered to be unhealthy according to the National Osteoporosis Society – so head outside now.

Lose weight

You’re more likely to stick at your exercise routine if it makes you feel good – and exercising in your garden, in a park or just near some greenery could really lift your mood. Plus exercising outside could burn up to 30 per cent more calories than doing the same workout indoors according to some studies. For all the weight loss and wellbeing benefits why not sign up to a Green Gym where you can work to preserve local natural spaces and burn calories at the same time? Call the BTCV on 01302 388 883 or visit www2.btcv.org.uk to find out more.

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