What is the risk of getting outside of COVID?
The summer of 2022 is synonymous with outdoor parties, music festivals and outdoor activities. All activities in which people can theoretically worry less about contracting COVID-19. Or will the rapidly growing new omikron variants throw a spanner in the works for all outdoor events again this year?
The highly contagious and immune-evasive BA.4 and BA.5 sublines of omikron are now the dominant species and the ‘corona summer wave’, at least according to published data by RIVM. However, health experts agree that outdoor activities are still much safer than indoor activities.
This is because viral aerosols do not get a chance to accumulate in the air here. But with the most transferable variants to date, there is a good chance that you have even less protection in certain situations.
In other words, walking or jogging on a secluded hiking trail or windy beach is a lot safer than standing shoulder to shoulder with revelers under a tent at an outdoor party. Or sing and dance with fans crammed together in an open-air concert.
But given the high infection rate in the Netherlands, there is more virus circulating in the air, so it is really better to be quite careful in any environment. That means wearing a mask as much as possible in some places, applying social distancing and being well aware of your surroundings.
Because even for those who have been infected recently, the new variants don’t really offer much protection against re-acquiring the virus.
Ways to improve your health
For outdoor enthusiasts, the warmer weather of summer not only means pleasantly relaxing in nature, but also sweating a lot in the open air. Below you will find some of the easiest ways to get involved in outdoor sports, along with the impressive health benefits it provides.
To walk
Don’t feel like an intensive workout? Then know that walking is one of the most basic forms of outdoor sport, the health benefits of which are unparalleled. After all, walking is good for your joints and walking just one hour a week will help relieve joint pain.
Walking regularly is also associated with a reduced risk of developing heart disease. Best of all, you can do it pretty much anywhere!
Hiking
Although hiking is similar to walking, it is an outdoor experience all its own. Exploring new paths of varying lengths and difficulty makes it both a mental and physical challenge.
According to an American study, you also use 28% more energy when you walk on rougher terrain than when you walk on flat ground. Something that leads to an extra calorie burn.
Joging
Are you ready to pick up the pace and get some fresh air at the same time? Then try swapping a fitness exercise on the treadmill for an outdoor jog. In general, jogging offers a wide range of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease. This is done by increasing the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and lowering blood pressure.
Running outdoors is also associated with an increase in positive energy. Plus a reduction in tension and depression. Many joggers also report that they enjoy this running and that they will do it more often. Important tip: Definitely start at a comfortable pace that you’re confident you can sustain for the duration of your run.
Interval Training
High-intensity interval training, also known as HIIT, is a popular training method characterized by short bursts of intense exercise followed by short periods of recovery. As the name suggests, HIIT is intense, but these workouts (usually lasting between 10 and 30 minutes) are considered one of the most efficient ways to exercise.
HIIT, which can be done outdoors without equipment, can help you achieve the same results of a moderate-to-vigorous workout in half the time. This makes it an ideal training for anyone who has limited time.
Cycle
If you’ve been pedaling on your exercise bike all winter, you already have more power. But cycling is not only a stress-relieving indoor activity, but is also a great cardiorespiratory exercise outdoors.
In addition, cycling targets a very specific set of muscles: the glutes, quads and hamstrings. And when you really push yourself, those muscles are challenged in such a way that few other workouts can achieve.
Jumping rope
As a favorite children’s activity, skipping rope can not only be great fun, but also provide a great workout. Skipping ropes are very affordable and you can practice this pretty much anywhere. This move itself is good for the whole body as it improves your cardiorespiratory endurance. Skipping rope can also improve coordination and just 15 minutes of jumping rope burns several hundred calories!
Do you also want to start with a skipping rope routine? Then try jumping on two feet for 60 seconds, 30 seconds on your right foot and 30 seconds on your left foot. And then jump back and forth for 30 seconds.
Regardless of your health and physical capabilities, you can gain many benefits by staying active. And what better way to do this than to undertake healthy outdoor activities with jvygadgets this summer.
Sources: sfchronicl & forbes
