Several economic and environmental factors can be a source of daily stress. And a recent study has reported alarming stress levels among Americans. Travel has been associated with stress reduction while doing outdoor activities can help with anxiety and depression symptoms.
Therefore, simultaneously engaging in both can greatly alleviate your stress and improve your wellbeing. On that note, here are some outdoor activities you can do while traveling.
Hiking
Hiking is an excellent outdoor activity to incorporate into your travel itinerary. It has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, reduce stress, raise attention levels, and promote overall well-being. Day hiking offers an escape from daily life stress and an opportunity to spend some time with nature.
If you are feeling exhausted, stressed out, or have a free day on your travel schedule, take a hike, break the routine, and spend a few hours away from civilization to enjoy sunlight and nature sounds and recharge your batteries.
Fly-fishing
Try fly-fishing for an excuse to stand in a river and take in some of the most magnificent places’ sounds, scents, and vistas. Fishing is a great hobby to enjoy with kids, grandparents, or anybody else. You could even catch a prized cutthroat trout with enough practice. Wanna find some great locations? Check out Key West Fishing Charters.
Horseback riding
Spending time with animals produces serotonin, a hormone that can enhance your mood and lower stress levels; horseback riding is worth trying. This may put off many individuals due to a lack of horse expertise.
However, some facilities offer horses for riders of all levels of competence, including none. These animals can transport you over longer distances in less time, crossing terrain that would otherwise be difficult or inaccessible. Horseback riding helps you get away from everyday life’s stresses and enjoy some fresh air.
Outdoor concerts
It is understandable why many people are crossing borders to attend music concerts and live events. Spending a night beneath the stars while listening to great music is a terrific way to unwind. A study by the Centre for Performance Science discovered that those who attended live performances had substantial decreases in the stress hormone cortisol, regardless of whether they were musicians or frequent festival goers.
During the summer, most towns have outdoor festivals and concerts. So it can be useful to check the calendar and visit areas with scheduled live events and concerts. So you may want to attend a local performance or a live music class after a stressful day. Music and yoga may generate a sublime state of mind, and combining the two will increase your stress relief.
Read or sit quietly outdoors
It is easy to assume that outdoor activities must include some physical activity to release stress. However, this isn’t always the case. The University of Minnesota reports that something as simple as reading in nature can help relieve stress. Completing the crossword puzzle in the newspaper is also worth trying.
Unfortunately, this simple activity is often taken for granted since people already do a lot of reading from newspapers, blogs, emails, and bills. Some health professionals say that even sitting quietly outside for fifteen minutes might help lower stress levels.
Kayaking
Kayaking may be a family-friendly pastime. You don’t have to be an expert to have a good time on the water. There are several possibilities for novices, including family-friendly paddling areas and sturdy kayaks that are easy to handle.
Kayaking may bring you closer to nature and allow you to visit regions that would otherwise be inaccessible. It allows you to escape the traffic and commotion of everyday life and enjoy the quiet surroundings of the water.
Camping
Camping is an excellent way to enjoy nature’s surrounding beauties when you visit new regions. It facilitates the production of serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone,” that aids in the relief of your body’s stress symptoms. It can boost circulation, improve breathing, generate energy, and give you mental clarity.
Experts advise that people schedule time for leisure activities regularly, and it is a good idea to get outside your comfort zone and visit areas with the best-hidden camping spots. When life throws you curveballs, a quick trip to the woods with your backpack and tent can be the best way to unwind.
Try your best to put your electronic devices away and spend the night under the stars. You can plan a remote backpacking trip away from traffic, cars, and the rest of the busy world if you are particularly adventurous.
Take your fitness routine outdoors
It is normal to be used to working out indoors. However, finding a gym or fitness center to complete your daily fitness routine when traveling may not be easy. This is an opportunity to bring your fitness outside.
Aside from finishing your workout routine, you can also benefit from the stress-relieving properties of sunlight, fresh air, and vitamin D. You can complement your outdoor fitness routine with relaxing music to boost your workout recovery.
Outdoor physical activity has been demonstrated to decrease blood pressure and heart rate. Consequently, it may seem less challenging than indoors, pushing you closer to your peak performance.
Find new outdoor activities
Variety is a spice of life and just as you travel to see new places and experiences, explore new activities you haven’t tried before. For instance, hiking and biking are great outdoor activities but have you tried surfing, rock climbing, canyoneering, or rafting? These are fun and adventurous things to explore when traveling.
For instance, in places like Utah, you can enjoy rafting in a quiet, serene environment with companies like Red River Adventures. The slow-moving river can cause you to leave your worries and stress behind. These activities are also great for building teamwork and bonding when traveling with your family.
Traveling can be fun, and what is more thrilling than enjoying some activities that relieve stress while allowing you to see the world. Truly some of these activities may not be available in every location, so it can be useful to plan your travel to enjoy as many as you like.