INBA PNBA athlete Gomori Andras Mate says exercise outdoors is anxiety’s antidote.
Mental health is essential. And a big part of good mental health is good physical health, of course. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, you know how better you feel after exercise. And combining exercise with the great outdoors does wonders for your mental health, according to International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) natural bodybuilder Gomori Andras Mate.
Gomori Andras Mate won the amateur Classic Physique Overall championship title and his pro card at Natural Olympia 2021. On social media, he claimed:
“The best antidote to anxiety is exercise outdoors, direct sunlight… A good hike [sic} A coffee in the woods [sic]”
Below is Gomori Andras Mate’s full Instagram post:
View this post on Instagram
According to Mate, combining exercise with the outdoors will alleviate anxiety. Mate isn’t the only natural bodybuilder that praises spending time in sunlight for its health benefits, though. INBA PNBA competitor Peter Cichonski claims the rays from the sun reduce aging. And natural bodybuilder Erika Sweeney uses vitamin D as a staple supplement.
Sunlight and Nature’s Anxiety Reducing Benefits
A big reason exercising outdoors is beneficial for your mental health is vitamin D. You can get vitamin D naturally from the sunlight. However, many people are deficient in vitamin D since they aren’t spending enough time outside. If that’s the case, it’s strongly recommended that you take a vitamin D supplement.
Vitamin D gives you energy, improves your immune system, and strengthens your bones. Research shows vitamin D can also increase your testosterone levels and sexual health. (1) A vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, fatigue, and illness.
Other than the benefits sunlight provides you, being in nature gives you benefits. Spending some time outside lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of diabetes. (2)
Outdoor Workout
Exercise releases a plethora of feel-good chemicals, so a potent combination to reduce anxiety is to combine the great outdoors with exercise. Below is a full body outdoor workout to try next time you workout.
- Decline Push-up 3 x max reps
- Lunge 3 x 20 reps
- Pike push-up 3 sets x max reps
- Bench Dip 2 sets x max reps
- Plank 2 sets x max time
Finish your workout off with Tabata burpees for a cardio blaster.
Natural Bodybuilding Ensures Safety of Athletes
Natural bodybuilding is bodybuilding where drugs are prohibited. Most bodybuilding leagues don’t condone drugs. However, they don’t have any system in place to prevent them. Natural bodybuilding leagues such as the INBA PNBA follow a strict protocol to ensure an even playing field and the health and safety of their athletes.
Many natural bodybuilders prioritize their health, so they opt for natural supplements and innovative training to improve their health instead of engaging in doping, which can be detrimental to your health.
Recap
Add outdoor workouts as part of your training regimen to reduce your anxiety. The sunlight is imperative for your health. Spending time outside boosts energy levels, strengthens your immune system, and alleviates stress.
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References
- Pilz, S., Frisch, S., Koertke, H., Kuhn, J., Dreier, J., Obermayer-Pietsch, B., Wehr, E., & Zittermann, A. (2011). Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme, 43(3), 223–225. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1269854
- University of East Anglia. (2018, July 6). It’s official — spending time outside is good for you. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 6, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180706102842.htm
