Feelings of stress and anxiety have seemingly increased over the last decade, with millions of Americans struggling with symptoms on a regular basis. Whether it’s due to financial stress, balancing family and social life, or navigating through your professional life, most of us have had to deal with some level of stress at one time or another.

In addition to seeking counseling help or support from family or friends, there are plenty of things you can do to minimize your stress symptoms, one of the most effective being spending time outside. There have been countless studies over the years connecting mood and time spent in nature, and we don’t even need to reiterate the importance of exercise on your mental health!

If you’re in search of some outdoor activities to break up your yoga routine and help you clear your mind, we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll dive deep into three outdoor activities that will help you do just that.

1. Trail Running

Cardio is one of the most effective ways to boost your body’s production of endorphins. Endorphins are a chemical that your brain releases when you work out, make music, are intimate, or even when you eat a piece of chocolate. These hormones provide your body with energy and can uplift your mood for up to 24 hours after they’re released.

Trail running is the perfect activity to marry the boost you get from endorphins and the other feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin that your body releases when you’re out in nature.

Getting into trail running is relatively low commitment, so it’s perfect for the hobbyist with too much gear or plans on their calendar. To get started, here’s what you’ll need:

Running shoes: Trail running does involve a little bit of risk since most trails are covered in debris or are more exposed to the elements than sidewalks or tracks are. To keep your feet safe and your whole body supported, you’ll want to make sure you invest in good running shoes. If you’re running on high-intensity trails you might look for a shoe that’s built specifically for that, but as you’re just getting started, a pair of women’s Nike running shoes should do the trick for easy to moderate trails. Plus, they’re more suited for other activities like casual walking or training at the gym than a trail shoe would be.
Trails: To begin your trail running journey, you’ll definitely need a trail. Depending on where you live, they could be easy to find, or you might have to do a bit more research. The good news is, apps like AllTrails give you the skinny on tons of local paths and trails in your area. Each listing includes trailhead instructions as well as reviews and sometimes photos that have been uploaded by other hikers and runners.
Miscellaneous gear: It’s totally up to your preference, but you may also want to have some motivational music to accompany you on the trail. A pair of Bluetooth headphones is the easiest and least intrusive way you can add a soundtrack to your workout. Other things you may need include activewear, a reusable water bottle, and sunglasses.

2. Climbing

Climbing has made its transition from niche outdoor communities to a part of mainstream active lifestyles, and for good reason. Not only is climbing an incredible strength-building workout, but it also involves critical thinking and communication.

If you’re looking for a unique and thrilling outdoor activity, climbing may be the one for you! To start, you’ll probably want to join a climbing gym so that you can nail basic techniques before embarking on a climbing trip outdoors. The cool thing about climbing gyms is that many, like The Front Climbing Gym, include yoga and gym memberships as well, so you can get a well-rounded workout in under one membership.

Once you feel confident about your climbing technique, call up your new climbing buddies and find the closest bouldering site or rock face near you.

3. Kayaking

If you’re lucky enough to live in a coastal or riverside town, you should absolutely take advantage of your hometown’s geography, and kayaking is one of the best ways you can do that! What’s great about this sport is that you can explore nature by water, get a good workout in, and you can find the peace and quiet that you probably don’t get to experience in many other places.

To start kayaking, consider enrolling in a kayaking course at your local college or boating store. By going this route, you can get the gear and instructions all at once before you go out on your own!

Feeling overwhelmed with the world around you? Try out one of these outdoor activities for a good workout and a much-needed dose of calmness and clarity.