With many gyms still closed in certain areas around the country, and with people being nervous about working out in close contact with other people, many have taken to the outdoors to get their daily exercise. However, depending on where you live, there are other dangers or inconveniences that could make outdoor exercise tricky.
To help you in managing these things, here are three ways to make exercising outside more enjoyable.
Protect Yourself From Bugs And Animals
While you definitely don’t want bugs or other pests bothering you when you’re at home, you also don’t want animals and bugs hindering you from getting a good workout outside either
To keep the critters away, Andrew Heffernan, a contributor to ExperienceLife.com, advises that you learn about the environment you’ll be working out in so you can know what pests you might encounter. Then, you can take the appropriate steps to keep them at bay. If there are bugs, make sure you wear bug spray. If there are snakes, be sure you check out your surroundings before running around or getting on the ground. And if you’re going to be at a public park, keep an eye out for things like curious squirrels and dogs that may get too close.
Stay Safe In The Sun
Even if you’re only planning on being outside for a short period of time, you should still take steps to keep yourself safe from the sun.
Whether it’s the heat of the summer or during the winter months, the staff of the Mayo Clinic recommends that you always wear sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, you should bring lip balm with sunscreen to protect your lips from burning as well. And if it’s a particularly sunny day, wearing a hat to block the sun from your eyes might be a good idea, too.
Keep Away From Traffic
When you’re working out outside, it’s easy to get so caught up in what you’re doing that you don’t pay attention to what’s going on around you as much as you should.
Because of this, it’s wise not to exercise too close to traffic, as you could wind up in an accident with a vehicle. Also, from a health standpoint, Ben Kallen, a contributor to Men’s Journal, shares that it’s good to stay away from traffic so that the air quality around you is better when you’re working out. And since you’ll be breathing heavier than usual, you’ll want to get as much oxygen as possible, not a ton of carbon monoxide.
If you’ve taken to exercising outdoors recently, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you stay safe and enjoy the time you’re spending outside.
Photo by rf._.studio
