Bearden Behavioral Health of Tennessee

Summertime: It’s the perfect season to be active in the outdoors with your family. You already know that exercise is good for you. But research shows that exercising outdoors can be even better than doing the same workout inside.1 And exercise can help lower your blood pressure, relieve stress and even improve your thinking skills. Explore the neighborhood (or region) on your bikes Cycling is an excellent exercise for building fitness. It’s fun for kids and adults alike. Take a family ride around the neighborhood after dinner. Or find a nearby bike trail to explore. Get your kids involved by having them take turns picking the route. Important safety tip: Make sure everyone wears a bike helmet. Helmets protect kids and adults from brain injuries. Visit the zoo You may not think of the zoo as an opportunity to exercise. But you’ll be surprised by how many steps your family can rack up as you explore the reptile house, monkey habitat and more. “You don’t realize how much you’re walking, because you’re paying attention to other things,” says Liz Davis. She’s an exercise physiologist and trainer in Columbus, Ohio. Take family fitness classes Many cities and towns offer free or low-cost outdoor family fitness classes in local parks. Check your town’s official website and social media pages to see what’s available. Your local YMCA or YWCA are good places to find affordable classes. Be sure you also learn about age requirements, in case some classes aren’t appropriate for very young kids.