If your fitness routine is getting a bit too routine, medical experts say shaking up your workout by taking it outdoors can have the added benefit of improving overall mental health and enhancing cognitive functioning. “Our brain likes habits, so after a while, when things are routine, pathways in our brain become stagnant. When we exercise in a different environment, it will actually create new pathways in our brain,” says Dr. Paul Wright, senior vice president and system chair of the Neuroscience Institute for Nuvance Health, now part of Northwell Health, which has locations in Norwalk and Danbury, CT, and Poughkeepsie, NY. While he says, there is nothing wrong with using a treadmill or a gym, working out outside, which requires us to navigate new terrain, find our balance and take in data from our environment, stimulates more areas of the brain and all five senses, all of which help to improve cognitive health and memory as we age. Many local parks also provide the added brain stimulation of offering us information on local history and ecology, so we can learn something new along the way—another way to boost your brain. “When people think of exercise, they think heart, circulatory system, lungs, muscles and bones, but they don’t think of the cognitive aspect,” says Dr. Wright.
Set Yourself Up for Success
If you are new to working out outdoors, the neurologist recommends you take the necessary precautions before you go:
Do dress appropriately in well-fitting and comfortable clothes and shoes, and make sure you are hydrated.
Do check the weather before you go to make sure you won’t get stuck on a trail in bad weather.
Do study maps of the park or trail you are traveling, and make sure the terrain and length are appropriate for your physical abilities. Talk to your doctor if you have pre-existing health conditions.
“You want to avoid injury and enjoy it,” he adds. “People say, no pain, no gain. I don’t subscribe to that motto. I’d rather people come back after they did 10 minutes and say, ‘I didn’t hurt myself and I feel motivated to do 15 minutes next time.’”
Take a Friend
To up the endorphins from your workout, and provided added safety, bring a friend, Dr. Wright recommends. “Studies have shown that people who exercise in tandem or with groups of people actually adhered to the exercise program and enjoy it more,” he says. “It’s also less isolating and more stimulating for brain health.”
Try These Northeast Routes
If you’re ready to get started, call a friend and check out these outdoor spots that offer some of the best alfresco runs and hikes in our area, whether you’re a competitive athlete or just looking to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Plus, they have the added benefit of a little history or science lesson for those who want to jog their mind, too.
For the Trailblazer
The largest county park in Westchester, Ward Pound Ridge straddles Pound Ridge and Lewisboro, NY, is 4,315 acres and is a favorite spot for hikers and trail runners who want a hillier and more rugged route. Established trails range from a 1.2-mile trail that takes you over the covered bridge to a 5.6-mile hike. Several scenic overlooks make for breathtaking spots where you can stop to take a break. History buffs will love hiking the Leatherman Loop, a 1.25-mile trail that retraces the steps of the Leatherman, who, legend has it, was a hermit dressed from head to toe in leather skins said to have lived in caves in the area circa 1860.
For the Cyclist
This paved route spans 22.1 miles from Mt. Pleasant to Somers, NY, and is perfect for those who love to bike. It runs along the former Putnam Railroad route, once a train line for freight and passenger service from 1881 to 1958. Parks along the way provide easy on/off access points. Part of the Empire State trail system, you could take these trails all the way to Buffalo or Canada, if you were so inclined! (Book worms can check out the former Briarcliff Manor Station, now a public library.)
For Core Strengthening
For those who want to take their strength training outside, the Kensico Dam in Valhalla, NY, has a 10-station Fit Trail. It’s an outdoor exercise system including pull-up bars, sit-up benches, balance beams, dips, lunges, squats and more. Up the cardio by doing a run through the campus and over the dam, or running the paved loop in between doing each station. For those looking to add more stretching to their routine, the park also offers free summer yoga for those who bring their own mat.
For the Kids
This greenway, which straddles Greenwich and Stamford, CT, includes a two-mile stretch of the Minaus River and its surrounding forests, vernal pools and rolling trails. For ecologically minded hikers, there is lots of wildlife and vegetation to explore, like turtles, herons and minks, and elms, sycamores and winterberries. The new David and Marian Nissen Carousel, which is open Saturdays and Sundays in downtown Stamford, is custom-designed to commemorate the park’s natural eco-system, and makes for a fun ending to a family hike. Repeat visitors can consider joining the Mill River Park Fit Club, free to join, they offer outdoor fitness classes on the Grand Steps in downtown Stamford.
For a Stroll with the Dog
This easy 3-mile trail near Monroe, CT, is popular for those who like to walk with their pet. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed. The trail follows the old railway corridor through woods and open space with level elevation and lots of bird-watching opportunities.
For the Whole Family
Bruce Park has been named one of USA Today’s best city parks, and the 2.3-mile loop at the Town of Greenwich’s oldest park is one of our favorite features. Scenic views of Long Island Sound, park benches and a gazebo, picnic areas and playgrounds offer something for young and old to enjoy. Just this spring, it was designated as a historic property by the town, ensuring its preservation for years to come.
For the Adventurer
This one is a hike, literally and figuratively, but if you are looking for a little weekend adventure, head up to Kent, CT, and hike the falls, which cascade 250 feet down on the way to the Housatonic River. Construction to improve and repair the park’s popular main trail is scheduled to be completed June 20. The park is home to lots of wildlife, from black bears and bald eagles to 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 169 species of fish. There are opportunities for camping, hunting, fishing, picnicking and boating for those who want to spend more time there.
