Frequent physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle. Staying active helps prevent a huge range of illnesses by enhancing your health at a molecular level. Everybody appreciates the huge and numerous benefits of practicing sports regularly, ranging from improved sleep quality to supporting your immune system.
Additionally, working out also helps regulate your mood and enhance your mental health. Individuals who exercise regularly also notice improvements in mental focus, cognitive agility, and creativity. Health experts often encourage their patients to start being active outdoor rather than joining a gym.
Indeed, outdoor sports can bring a range of additional advantages as you get exposed to natural sunlight. The body generates vitamin D when you receive enough sunlight exposure — thankfully, 20 to 30 minutes of daylight are all it takes, even on a cloudy day. Yet, exercising outdoor also brings new risks into your healthy lifestyle.
Being chased by dogs
Running on a road with the sunset in your back is a dream that most runners share. There’s something liberating about being alone on the road. Amateur runners often say they fell in love with the meditative effect of running, letting their thoughts go freely as they hit the road. But urban runners need to remain attentive to their surroundings.
Parks are a popular area for jogging. But many runners complain about dog attacks encountered within or in the vicinity of parks. Indeed, dog owners often fail to keep their pet on a leash inside parks, which can put runners at risk of potential attacks and bites.
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is a case you can refer to a personal injury law firm. It’s important to understand that while the owner is often at fault, dogs could face harsh consequences. As a result, to avoid any dramatic situation, runners may want to avoid dog-populated areas.
Collision with vehicles or pedestrians
If you think that running in town is a safe bet that keeps dogs at bay, you may want to reconsider. Every year, many runners are injured in avoidable collisions with vehicles. Contrary to common belief, vehicles are not always responsible for the accident. Indeed, popular apps and playlists have encouraged people to run with headphones. As you focus solely on the sounds you hear, you can significantly improve your performance.
Unfortunately, it can be distracting as runners are less likely to pay attention to their local position. Besides, headphones can block surroundings noises, which means runners are not aware of incoming traffic. In other words, if you are running through town, you need to remain alert and attentive to traffic, signals, and individuals around you. If you tend to lose yourself in the music, it’s best to run without headphones.
Covering too much distance
Are you running too much? When you get comfortable with your usual route, it can be tempting to push yourself a little further. The runner’s high sensation can also comfort you in the belief that you could cover more distance. While there is nothing wrong with pushing yourself, you need to be in sync with your body. The surge of endorphins could hide worrying signs that you are not as strong as you think. Indeed, running too much can leave you feeling weak, sore, and tired. It will also make it more difficult to come back safely after your run. Fatigue affects your form and posture, making injuries more likely. Unlike running on a treadmill where you can stop at any time, outdoor runs can dramatically put your safety at risk if you overtrain.
Sudden weather changes
Sudden rain is unpleasant. But when you’re exercising outdoor, sudden rain can be a source of worry. If you are unprepared for weather changes, things could end up a lot worse than getting wet. Indeed, rain makes the ground slippery, which increases the risk of falling. Depending on the type of outdoor exercise, the slippery ground may not be an issue. Yet workouts such as running, hiking, or cycling can be risky without appropriate weatherproof gear.
Confusion or getting lost
Do you zone out when you exercise? A lot of people let go of their thoughts as they work out. It can be therapeutic, especially if you are going through a lot of pressure. However, when you are outside, it’s easy to lose track of your itinerary. You could take the wrong turn without noticing and find yourself lost in an area you don’t know.
If you add physical fatigue, you could even experience some mental confusion after a long workout. Not knowing where you are can cause panic and also affects your decision ability. Did you know that confusion, fatigue, and panic are some of the most common traits targeted by pickpockets? Indeed, these can make you an easy target to criminals. Stick to a known route to avoid issues.
Exercising outdoor is good for your mind and your body. However, you need to be prepared to avoid many risks.