Want to boost mom’s mood this Mother’s Day? Lace up your sneakers for a stroll outdoors, or tune up your bikes and hit a nearby path. A new study from the University of Essex in England finds that just five minutes of “green exercise” is good for your mental health. The study was published in the American Chemical Society’s semi-monthly journal of Environmental Science and Technology. The results indicated that exercise in natural terrain help with a sense of overall well-being. Results also found a decrease in mental illness.
Lush forests, garden paths, streamlined terrain, journeys along fresh foliage and mountain trails is nature’s answer to the gym. Incorporating nature into your everyday fitness routine is one way to keep mom motivated and on a healthy track. Nature is for everyone, no matter what your size or shape. There is also a benefit to natural light or sunlight to help boost your mood while increasing your body’s stores of Vitamin D. The above mentioned study looked at everything from walking to biking, even boating and farming.
What better way to tune into Mother Nature than on Mother’s Day? Why not see if you can take mom out for a day of paddle boating or give her a gift certificate to a Dude Ranch to go horseback riding. If mom has a green thumb, give her some new gardening tools, seeds or a plant she can place in the yard to be reminded of how much you love her all year round.
With each stride and energetic step, walking or hiking outside is not only is a tremendous exercise for mom’s body, but also her mind. It is also a great time for you and mom to bond. The focus on nature allows you to tune into yourself as well as your surroundings. The fresh air during your journey provides a vital stimulus for your workout encompassing body, mind and soul.
As I mentioned in a prior Mother’s Day Article, you can get your “Green Movement” Mom some hiking gear and let nature be her trainer. Put together a “Fit Backpack” full of fitness trails, treats and treasures. Put a spring into your mom’s step as fitness is in full bloom and pack up the brochure guides to the closest trails. Trade up mom’s treads and give her more action with the latest traction in hiking footwear and maybe even some walking sticks. Cram in a compass so she’ll stay on course and don’t forget a reusable water bottle. Pack up some munchies for her long trek and toss in trail mix and energy bars.
Joanne Sgro is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training. Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her fiancé, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.