Outdoor Activities for Relieving Stress & Pain

Exercise of just about any type can help with stress relief. In addition, certain exercises and stretches can help with reducing certain types of pain such as back pain. Here are some of the top outdoor activities that may help lower your stress and relieve your chronic pain.

Walking

The great thing about walking is that it can be done almost anywhere and without any specialized or expensive equipment. Walking can also be done by just about anyone in any age group and at any level of fitness. As you get better and walk more you can increase your daily walking distance and even move to jogging and eventually running. Walking has been shown to be good for joint pain relief, stress relief, and has even been shown to provide benefits for individuals who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Swimming

Swimming is another great exercise. Swimming can help control weight, improve mood, and help with mental health by reducing stress. In addition, because swimming removes much of the burden of your body weight on your back and spine, it can be a great way to relieve back pain while still getting great exercise. Most doctors suggest doing aerobic exercises like swimming between three and five times a week for about half an hour to an hour per session.

Outdoor Stretching/Yoga

There are a variety of stretches and yoga positions which can help relieve certain types of pain and release stress. For example, there are stretches that can help with sciatica, neck pain, and abdominal pain. Things like hip stretches and piriformis muscle stretches are not difficult to learn and when done at least once a day can start leading to great results in a relatively short period of time.

Spending Time In Nature

While you probably are not going to be able to go spend time in the great outdoors on a regular basis, many studies have shown that even taking a few days off a couple of times a year in order to go hiking, taking up gardening, or doing another similar outdoor activity can be an excellent way to reduce stress and get exercise. You may want to consider visiting a state or national park for a few days with some friends and family. Research shows that spending time in nature can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and decrease the likelihood of developing depression.

If you are suffering from chronic pain in New Jersey and you are looking for a chronic pain doctor who can help, contact Garden State Pain Control by calling 973-777-5444 to make an appointment. Our mission is to ease your pain. If you are looking for a comprehensive approach to pain management treatment, Garden State Pain Control can provide you with the necessary resources to help relieve your chronic pain and improve your quality of life.