Spring into Better Health at Albemarle Plantation

05/01/2020

Spring into Better Health at Albemarle Plantation

When the weather thaws, the plants bloom and the days get longer, it’s spring—and the best time of the year to take your fitness regimen outdoors.  Luckily for us, Albemarle Plantation offers everything you can possibly want to keep you active while soaking up the sunshine and beautiful views!  Outdoor exercise has been proven to help you healthy not just physically, but also mentally, and who doesn’t need that right now?!

When people exercise outside, they tend to spend more time doing it. One study found that older people who were active outdoors did at least 30 minutes more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week than those who only did it inside. And with the numerous walking and biking trails winding through nature sanctuaries and waterways in Albemarle Plantation, it is easy and enjoyable to get that daily workout in!  Now is the perfect time to set a goal and start a running routine or dust off the spokes of your cruiser and pedal around the Plantation!

Spending time outside is also good for the heart. A recent study estimated that nearly 10% of people with high blood pressure could get their levels under control if they spent at least 30 minutes in a park each week, partly because of the heart-related benefits of getting fresh air and lowering stress.  What better way to justify a day of paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing than protecting your heart health?!  We all know life on the water is what Albemarle Plantation is all about; so why not get your exercise doing what you love?!  Swimming and even water skiing will provide you with both physical activity and a much needed release of endorphins!

Nature has a way of making people feel calm; and exercising outside can strengthen that effect. A study found that people who walked for 90 minutes outside were less likely to ruminate on their problems and had less activity in the brain area linked to depression, compared to people who took similar walks but in urban areas. Nature can be a major distraction from all the stresses of life, and there is nothing like a day of fishing or crabbing on the Sound to help your mental health!  Getting a dose of vitamin D and maybe even a healthy catch for dinner are just added bonuses!