6 Ways to Stay Active Outdoors This Summer

Getting outside is beneficial in many ways, and since July is National Park & Recreation month, it’s a perfect time to discover some of the many opportunities there are to explore in the great state of Minnesota.

From improving concentration to boosting creative problem solving, studies continue to show that spending time outside has many health benefits beyond the physical movement alone.¹

Participating in outdoor activities is also just a fun opportunity to meet new friends and maintain a great balance between work and life. Take a class, join a team or explore the trails in your neighborhood. Below are a few resources to get you started this summer:

1. Take a Hike! There are many resources to find hiking trails and paths in your area. All trails have a free app that offers a great ranking system and difficultly rating. https://www.alltrails.com/us/minnesota
2. Just roll with it. The Twin Cities consistently rank as one of the best metro areas for biking and those spectacular trails connect to many destinations throughout the state. Start with this comprehensive list from the Department of Transportation, which provides links to other counties, as well! http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/maps.html
3. Go with the flow. There are many options for renting canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, and the Minnesota DNR has a convenient page for options across the state. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/starter_kit/paddle.html. If you want to get on the water fast, one of the quickest and most convenient options in the Twin Cities is the Mississippi River Paddle Share kayak rental lockers, which start just north of the city and end downtown. http://paddleshare.org/home.htm
4. Different strokes. If your idea of summer exercise is swimming in open water, then the Minneapolis Open Swim Club might be for you. The club offers open water swimming on a regular basis throughout the summer. https://apm.activecommunities.com/minneapolisparks/activity_search/open-swim-club/58358. Follow them on Facebook for the latest dates, locations and updates. https://www.facebook.com/open.swim.9/
5. Leave it to the experts. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a wealth of information to help you explore Minnesota. It’s the first place you’ll want to go for information on State Parks, State Forests, Trails and all kinds of other outdoor info. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html
6. Keep it local. Check your own city’s park and recreation department for all kinds of summer programming, special events and sports leagues.

Minneapolis Parks and Recreation:
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation:
https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation

Enjoy the great outdoors!

Erin Erdahl, B.A., CPT

Live Your Life^TM
Bringing Physical Therapy & Wellness to You!
www.liveyourlifept.com

Erin Erdahl, B.A., CPT, is a Minnesota native who moved to Minneapolis last summer after spending time in Indianapolis, IN and Denver, CO. She is excited to be back in the Midwest and continue doing the work she loves. She is a certified personal trainer that is passionate about movement and sharing that with her clients. Erin works with people of all ages and is happy to be a part of the Live Your Life Physical Therapy team! When Erin isn’t teaching a class or training, you can find her taking fitness classes and exploring the great outdoors with her husband Kent. Erin enjoys coffee, going to the lake, cooking and quilting. She loves spending time with her large extended family and her 12 (and counting) nieces and nephews.

References
¹“Scientific Benefits of Spending Time In Nature .” Business Insider, Apr. 2016, http://www.businessinsider.com/scientific-benefits-of-nature-outdoors-2016-4. Accessed 03 July 2017.