So, the warm weather is here. The sun is shining, and the parks are filled with people enjoying themselves. Hopefully, you are planning on taking advantage of the summer to get outdoors too. There are lots of reasons being outside is beneficial for diabetics.
But, let’s just stick to the big three…
#1 Being Outside Equates To More Time Being Active
In 2012, a study found that many older people reported being active for longer periods when doing activities outside compared to indoors. This could potentially improve your health and keep more weight off over time. It seems that outdoor activities were more enjoyable and created a chance to socialize.
The great outdoors offers plenty of opportunities to be active. Consider taking a daily walk or going to the park to play tennis. There are even stretches and calisthenics exercises you can incorporate into your daily walk to get more out of it.
#2 Outdoor Activities Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health
Exercising and socializing with others can help reduce stress, stay alert, improve anxiety levels, offer better concentration. Activity can also encourage the release of endorphins that create a natural high and allow better sleep. It goes without saying that getting a good night’s sleep allows better control of blood glucose levels.
Exercising the body also influences its healing abilities to better fight off disease by building strength and improving energy levels.
#3 Sun Exposure Boosts Your Vitamin D Levels
Our bodies can produce Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. While most people are aware that this vitamin is helpful in absorbing calcium and making strong bones, you may not know that it is connected with diabetes. Low levels of Vitamin D in the blood are correlated with insulin resistance and the development of diabetes. In fact, a study of over 600 elderly men and women with diabetes also found that over half had Vitamin D deficiency.
[expand title=”References“]
Vitamin D Status in Relation to Glucose Metabolism and Type 2 Diabetes in Septuagenarians. URL Link. Accessed July 3, 2017.
Outdoor Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health In Older Adults Living In Two Regions Of the U.S. URL Link. Accessed July 3, 2017.
Physical Activity Reduces Stress. URL Link. Accessed July 3, 2017.
[/expand]
