How Outdoor Hobbies Can Support Healthy Lifestyles

A nourishing diet, physical activity, and plenty of rest are the cornerstones of healthy lifestyles and can add years to your life when sustained over the long-term. When you apply these concepts to practice, it’s considered “living a healthy lifestyle” and you’ll start to see exponential benefits crossover into all areas of your life.

In this article, we’re going to consider how outdoor recreational activities such as boating and fishing can support healthy lifestyles.

Most people relate the idea of physical activity to traditional exercise, torturous workouts, or those fad fitness programs promising a ripped body with purchase of their DVD. It’s human nature to want to avoid anything we associate with a negative experience which can discourage us from the act altogether.

The secret is to shift the way you think about physical activity to the notion of simply moving your body. It doesn’t have to be considered “exercise” to achieve the same benefits for your mind and body.

If you love the outdoors, there are countless activities that will enable you to experience the health benefits of nature while also moving your body. Sustainable healthy lifestyles start with taking something you enjoy and building it into your routine in a healthy and balanced way.

• Hiking - if you like taking walks to enjoy the fresh air, try out the hiking trails in a nearby park. Some even have workout stations along the path… bonus points for the pull-up bar!
• Boating - on your next boating adventure, stop at your favorite swimming hole and take a few laps.
• Fishing - when you’re out fishing the lake, make it a goal to fish your way around the whole perimeter. You might walk further than you typically would otherwise while hauling all that fishing gear. Bending, squatting, moving, it all adds up!

Take inventory of your favorite hobbies and identify opportunities to move your body more—you’ll find it easier to check off those exercise boxes that seemed daunting before. Remember, the key to living a healthy lifestyle is making it enjoyable and therefore, sustainable.