How to Stay Active This Summer

Staying active this summer can help to keep you in shape and promote a healthy lifestyle. Summer weather provides ample opportunities to get outside, exercise, and partake in physical activities. Being active can promote your health in a variety of ways, but some of the main benefits include a healthier heart, shedding excess pounds, and reducing blood pressure. Being active can reduce your risk of diseases like diabetes.

Great Ways to Stay Active This Summer

1. Walking

Taking walks is one of the best ways to remain active this summer. Taking a walk is a heart-healthy way to get some fresh air and stay active. It’s free, it can be done anywhere and can fit around your schedule. Whether you’re alone or in a group of people, taking a walk can be a great way to relax and unwind while still increasing your heart rate and getting your blood pumping.

Summer

2. Swimming

Going to the pool is another great way to stay active this summer and also stay cool. You don’t have to swim laps or dive into a pool for it to be beneficial. Simply getting in and walking around will provide you with several health benefits. The resistance of the water will force your muscles to work harder than they normally would outside of the water. It’ll help create blood flow, build muscles, and relax your body.

Swimming in the pool is also a great cardio exercise to do in the summer, but simply walking around the pool is enough to get the job done. You can also bring small pool weights in the water with you if you’re looking for more of a challenge.

3. Yoga

Outdoor yoga is another way to stay active this summer. It combines the benefits of yoga while also giving you the opportunity to get some fresh air. You can either join a group that does yoga outside or find a quiet place and do it by yourself. The benefit of doing it in a group is that you have a leader to follow and instruct the group. However, beginners may feel more comfortable practicing yoga alone so they can go at their own pace. Either way, yoga is a great method for staying active this summer while increasing your flexibility, improving your cardio, and working on your strength.

Enjoy an Active Summer

Whether you’re doing outdoor yoga, taking walks, or going to the pool, all three are great ways to stay active this summer. All three of those activities can provide health benefits and can be started slowly and increased over time. For example, if you walk for 30 minutes today, you can try to walk for 35 minutes tomorrow. By increasing the time in which you stay active, you’re also increasing the health benefits these activities provide.

The warm weather of the summer months provides a great environment to get outside, stay active, and increase the quality of your health. Take advantage of the sunny days and warm temperatures.

Northwest Regional Health offers a Wellness Center to help you achieve an active healthy lifestyle. For more information about our Wellness Center, please call 205-487-7600.