Now that our days are getting longer, brighter and warmer (hurray!), we all naturally start to crave a bit more sunlight and time in the great outdoors to boost our vitamin D after our usual gloomy winter!

Whether it’s a short walk or a sea swim, exercising outdoors has a hugely positive impact on our mental well-being.

Being out in nature can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety – a great mood booster!
• Allow you time to reflect and give your brain clarity
• Improve our sleep by regulating our circadian rhythm
• Revitalises and clears the body and mind of pollutants by breathing in fresh air
• Triggers the production of Vitamin D which strengthens our immunity
• Naturally boosts energy

Prioritising your physical and mental well-being can be challenging around our daily routines. However, here are some ideas that may help to spark your motivation to move outdoors (which are some of my personal favourites!) in our beautiful seaside town.

Tips:

• Morning yoga/pilates class on the beach – this is a great low impact way to wake up the body and mind, stretching and breathing next to the calming sounds of the sea. A wonderful mood booster to start the day.
• Walking/biking in the forest or along the coast – these are both equally lovely! Either wrap up warm on a cold day with a hot drink for a walk, or grab a hat and some water to walk/bike ride along the beach in the sun.
• Morning/evening sea swim and saltwater sauna combo – this ultimate pair is filled with benefits. Start/end your day by waking up your senses with a sea swim to help reduce inflammation, increase metabolism and reduce stress and anxiety, followed by a sauna to boost heart & cardiovascular health, continue to reduce inflammation and improve recovery, lung function, breathlessness and sleep quality. A great one to do with friends or alone to wind down.
• Saturday park runs or bootcamps as a group – whether you’re a newbie or not, group classes are not only a great way to socialise and meet more like-minded people, but are also really helpful for boosting moral and motivation for everyone to achieve their goals. Bootcamps are short but intense HIIT workouts if you need something that’s easy to fit into a busy routine.
• Paddleboarding – this has become very popular! A fun activity to do alone or with friends to enjoy the water and improve your balance – be prepared to fall off a lot but that’s part of the fun!

I hope these help you ‘spring’ into action!