Exercising in nature: a reset for your head and heart

The days are getting longer, the first crocuses are coloring the parks purple and yellow. Whether the sun is shining or not, spring invites you to go outside. To seek out the fresh air and to give your body and mind new energy. In this blog, Rémon Koetje, Lifestyle coach at Happy Bodies, shares why the combination of indoor and outdoor sports is so powerful for your mental health.

The secret is in the variety

Just as nature renews itself in the spring, your body asks for variation in movement. Structure and freedom. Routine and adventure. At Happy Bodies I see every day how effective targeted strength training is. But I also see how valuable it is to supplement this indoor training with movement in the open air. That combination provides a completely different energy experience. It not only makes you physically stronger, but also gives you more mental resilience.

This is how nature gives you peace of mind

You undoubtedly recognize the feeling: after a day of working on the computer, your head feels full. Your shoulders are tense. Your thoughts keep on grinding. That's when a walk in the park is worth its weight in gold. Nature has an almost magical effect on your brain. And that's no coincidence - research confirms how powerful the combination of movement and nature is for our well-being:

• The rhythm of your footsteps calms your thoughts
• The greenery around you measurably lowers your stress hormones
• The fresh air clears your mind
• Daylight improves you sleep-wake rhythm
• The sounds of nature lower your blood pressure

Turn your nature walk into a complete workout

A brisk walk is a great workout in itself. But want more? Here's how to turn your park into a natural gym. The possibilities are endless and you don't need any equipment. Pull yourself up on a sturdy branch. Do squats on a bench. Sprint from tree to tree. Or do push-ups against a wall. Add some jumps or walking lunges come on. The beauty? No one is watching you.

The power of balanced training

The most effective training routine combines the best of both worlds. The targeted strength and conditioning training indoors, supplemented with the invigorating effect of outdoor sports. At Happy Bodies I see how this balance helps people to become stronger not only physically, but also mentally. One strengthens the other.

Indoors you work on your strength and condition in a structured way. The Milon circle provides a complete workout in 35 minutes. Outdoors you add freedom and relaxation. This combination makes a big difference. Your body learns to adapt to different forms of movement, which benefits your overall fitness.

How to build a sustainable routine

It doesn’t have to take up mountains of time. Schedule two short strength training sessions of 35 minutes every ten days. Add at least two nature walks. Notice how the regularity makes you stronger. Feel how the variety gives you energy. For example, start with a walk during your lunch break – even fifteen minutes makes a difference.

Spring is the perfect time to start this new routine. Nature awakens, your energy is bubbling. Before you know it, your body itself is asking for movement.