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One of the benefits to living in the tropics is consistently warm weather and reliable sunshine. With cool trade winds and a beautiful landscape, you may feel the call to head outside and run around. If that’s the case, you’re not alone. One study suggests that people living in an area with increased access to the natural environment have better attitudes towards physical activity.
Spending time exercising outdoors may also give you added health benefits to working out inside. Time in the sun can help regulate your sleep and also increase your vitamin D levels, as exposure to sunshine triggers your skin to produce the vital vitamin. Vitamin D is responsible for regulating the absorption of certain nutrients in your body and helps immune function and bone health.
For those who prefer exercising indoors, don’t worry, all exercise will benefit your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American adults should be getting at least 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise (like jogging) weekly. In addition, the CDC recommends adults do strength training of at least moderate intensity on all major muscle groups at least twice a week. The CDC doesn’t specify where or how you get your exercise in.
If you’re interested in beginning a new activity but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got five fun workouts to try around the islands. Of course, always consult your physician to make sure you are healthy enough to exercise before starting a new workout regime. Also be sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen and light layers of clothing when spending time in the sun to protect your skin.
