As you get older, it can become challenging to move around. However, we all recognise the importance of staying active. And whilst exercising at home may seem like the ideal solution, sometimes we want to get outside and enjoy the sunshine – especially as we get closer to summer. Therefore, it’s important to know how to stay safe when exercising outdoors, especially if you are living with mobility difficulties.
Why Exercise Outdoors?
Exercise alone provides plenty of benefits for your physical wellbeing, from increasing muscle mass to supporting cardiovascular health. However, exercising outdoors can provide additional benefits that you may not have considered.
For example, outdoor exercise can help to improve mental health. According to Mind, just spending time outside can help to improve your mood and relieve stress. This, paired with the natural mood-boosting effects of exercise, can leave you in a better headspace.
Furthermore, exercising outdoors increases your exposure to sunlight, which can help to boost Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and muscles. It promotes the absorption of calcium, which is an important part of your diet in later life. If you are trying to keep fit, making sure you are getting enough Vitamin D is crucial.
Another benefit of exercising outdoors is that you will likely be breathing cleaner air, even if you live in an urban area. Pollutants are more likely to gather inside than in open spaces, which means going outdoors could be improving your breathing, too. When exercising, breath control is important, so consider getting outdoors.
If you’re going to start exercising outdoors, however, it’s important that you know how to do it safely. This is especially true if you have mobility issues that affect your confidence.
Know Your Limits
One of the most important parts of exercise is not pushing yourself too hard. Whilst it’s important to work hard if you want to keep fit, pushing yourself too hard could result in injuries. Think about what exercises you can handle and plan your workout accordingly. As you continue to exercise, you will find that your fitness improves to allow you to try more challenging exercises.
Do Your Stretches
As with any exercise, it’s important to warm up first. Take your time to do your stretches and limber up, as this will help to reduce the likelihood of injuries during your workout. Effective stretches before any workout include shoulder rolls. During your workout, remember to take pauses into account where you can stretch again. This helps to prevent cramps and keeps your muscles working effectively.
Stay Hydrated
We’re sure you recognise the importance of staying hydrated when exercising – and in general. However, when exercising outdoors, it’s especially important that you take enough drink with you. As well as the fact you will potentially be exercising in warmer weather, being outdoors can mean you are not able to easily refill your water. Remember that water and juices are always best for staying hydrated – avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
Consider Exercising with Others
Whilst many forms of exercise can be undertaken on your own, exercising with others is a great way to improve your safety. Moreover, exercising with friends or as part of a class can help you to socialise, which is important in the fight against loneliness. Some people also find that exercising in good company can help motivate them to maintain the habit.
Bring Medical ID
It’s important to be prepared in case you do experience an emergency whilst exercising outdoors. If you have any form of medical ID, take it with you during your workout. This could be a bracelet worn on your wrist or a card in your wallet or purse. This way, if you do require aid whilst exercising outdoors, people will know how to help you.
Choose a Safe Location
When exercising outdoors, it’s important to choose an area where you will be safe. This means avoiding areas with lots of uneven ground or traffic. Make sure to exercise in places where you can sit down to rest, and that are well-lit. Ideally, the place you exercise shouldn’t be too busy, but not too empty, either. This makes sure there are people around to help if necessary.
Know When to Stop
If you are trying to keep fit, it’s easy to feel like you need to keep pushing yourself to improve. However, pushing yourself too hard could result in an injury, and then you’re back to square one. If you experience pain, nausea, or dizziness, for example, it’s always best to stop and rest. If you feel able to continue after a rest, go ahead, but don’t be disheartened if you need to take time to recover. You’ll bounce back from tiredness quicker than a pulled muscle.
Make Yourself Visible
You may have seen people exercising in fluorescent gear and wondered why someone would dress so bright. However, being seen is one of the most important ways to stay safe when exercising outdoors. Often, people won’t be paying attention to what others are doing – whether they’re driving or walking. Bright clothes, however, draw the eye and make it more likely for drivers or other walkers to notice you. This helps you to avoid any accidents whilst out and about.
Safety at Home from LifeConnect24
If you are living with mobility issues, or if you just want some extra reassurance at home, a personal alarm from LifeConnect24 could be the ideal solution. Our personal alarms offer reassurance throughout the home and garden, with our digital SmartLife Alarm providing our longest alert range without needing a phoneline. This means you could exercise outdoors in your own garden if you still want the option to call for help in an emergency.
To find out more about our personal alarms, please don’t hesitate to view our products or get in touch with our helpful team. They will be happy to answer any questions or help you order today. Simply call on 0800 030 8999.
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