Finding Fitness While Finding Nature

As the heat of summer wears on, fewer and fewer people seem to be venturing outside-and for good reason! Though there are a few very dedicated individuals braving the scorching sun and the high temperatures, most of us have retreated to the safety of our dens. Or, at best, we load up and go the an air conditioned gym for our workout. Well, who can blame us? These are the "Dog Days" of Summer.

One thing we are missing, however, is seeing nature at work. When temperatures are pleasant or even just tolerable, we tend to get out more on hiking trails or walk through the park. The good news is that the unbearable summer heat doesn't have to rob us of our time with nature.

Here are some solutions:

1. Get up a couple hours early for a stroll through a wooded park. If you are in a metropolitan area, you may have one nearby and easily accessible. You could ride your bike there for some extra benefit. Suburban residents often have "hike and bike" trails with natural surroundings.  Take advantage of these when no one else is. You'll likely have them all to yourself!

2. Get out later in the evening when you're more likely to see wildlife. Many animals are nocturnal and don't start moving around until dusk. With a flashlight or camping lantern, you'll have sufficient illumination for walking and seeing what's around you.

3. Wear an icy towel around your neck. Carry a small thermos with ice water to not only drink but to also make a cold towel to wear at the base of your skull. This will keep you from overheating as you walk or hike. Keeping your body temperature down like this will help you avoid heat exhaustion.

4. Do one or  more of these with a partner or a group. We tend to do better in groups when fighting extreme temperatures. Being able to converse with others will make the time pass quickly and the more eyes there are, the more that will be noticed in the natural settings around you.

It is possible to enjoy nature and achieve your fitness goals, even in extreme heat and drought conditions. It just takes a little planning and forethought. Happy Fitness!