A breath of fresh air isn’t just great for our health, it can also help us feel confident about how we look.
Scientists have found people who spend more time outside, feel better about their body image and have higher self-esteem. There are many reasons why getting our dose of exercise in the great outdoors makes us feel good. Beautiful views, the sun on our faces and getting away from the hustle and bustle of a packed gym floor, to name a few. Though research has found a link between spending regular time outdoors and our perception of how we look.
As part of an online survey, individuals were asked to rate a number of statements about their body image.
Questions included, ‘I respect my body’, ‘When I see good-looking people, I wonder how my own looks measure up’, ‘I often check my appearance in a mirror just to make sure I look okay’ and ‘I feel pressure from family members to look thinner’.
They were also asked a variety of questions about how exposed they were to nature on a daily basis.
Researchers found strong links between exposure to nature and how much people liked their bodies. Although this could be due to the fact that confident types tend to head outdoors more than introverts, though the benefits of fresh air already stack up.
Outdoor exercise has already been proven to…
Improve stress
Increase Vitamin D
Provide more energy
Motivate those working towards a goal
… and fight against a number of health issues
These recent findings lead to huge opportunities for Personal Trainers qualified to coach clients outdoors. Whether it’s a client with insecurities about their image, or one that finds a gym environment too stressful, as an Outdoor Fitness Coach, you’ll not only be able to improve their fitness levels, but their self-esteem too.
With another recent spot of research showing that we spend 90% of our lives indoors, there’s no better time to get started!