08/09/2025
✨Nature and Recovery✨
Being out in nature can actually support recovery after a long run or intense exercise.
There are both physical and mental health benefits to taking the time to recovery in nature.
🌿 Physical benefits:
Lower stress hormones: Time in green spaces reduces cortisol, which helps your body shift from “stress mode” (running is a stressor) to “recovery mode.”
Better oxygen intake: Fresh air and exposure to trees/plants can improve oxygen exchange and circulation, supporting muscle repair.
Gentle movement: Walking, stretching, or foam rolling outdoors can encourage active recovery without the intensity of indoor exercise.
🧘 Mental benefits:
Faster relaxation: Nature exposure is linked to parasympathetic nervous system activation, helping your body truly rest.
Mood boost: It reduces anxiety and improves mental clarity, which can counter post-run fatigue or mental burnout.
Mindful recovery: Sitting quietly in a park, forest, or near water helps you be present, which may make your recovery feel more restorative.
Practical idea: After your long run, cool down with a short walk in a natural setting, then sit or lie in the grass, focus on breathing, and hydrate. It’s like combining physical recovery with a mini meditation.
If you can’t get out in nature this week why not try a yoga session or a low impact workout to help aid recovery.
