Get Outdoors During American Heart Month

February 15, 2017
Featured image for “Get Outdoors During American Heart Month”

Your heart works hard for you. Show it some love during American Heart Month by exercising outdoors. An inactive lifestyle is a big risk factor for heart disease, but you can take steps to help boost heart health with healthy exercise and nutrition.*

Does going outside make you healthier? Research indicates that it can. Escaping to the great outdoors can help both your body and your brain.

Mountain biking as regular exercise can improve heart health
The Huffington Post recently reported that the color green found in nature may improve mood and make exercise seem easier. Additional studies show that exercising outdoors led to greater feelings of revitalization, enjoyment and satisfaction, and that people who are physically active outdoors are more likely to continue with heart healthy physical activity.

A light hike during American Heart Month is a great way to get started on your way to a healthier lifestyle. In fact, research also shows that group outdoor activities like hiking and biking can keep you motivated and improve mood. Zion Ponderosa’s guided hikes can be customized to any level—so whether you’re ready to start out with just a light stroll along Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, or tackle a longer hiking adventure like the Narrows or trek across Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort to Observation Point, we can help you get where you’re going.

Hiking to Observation Point for heart health
A burst of fresh air, combined with sunlight and beautiful scenery, can be a great source of inspiration when it’s time to get off the couch during American Heart Month. Plus, outdoor activity adds a whole new element of variety to the same old boring routine. Hiking and biking are a great way to take in new scenery, explore, and go at your own pace—but also consider activities like jumping on a bungee trampoline, scrambling up a climbing wall, and even taking on a game of paintball. Health Fitness Revolution reported that regular exercise through paintball can release stress-busting endorphins and reduce the risk of some heart diseases.


Zion Ponderosa Climbing Wall | Exercise Outdoors during American Heart Month

While physical activity is known to release feel-good endorphins, that elevated feeling can be even more enhanced by spending time in nature. In turn, a more positive mood can help decrease stress levels—and when it comes to heart health less stress is a good thing!

And let’s face it, how can your spirits NOT be lifted with a view like this:


Guided hiking Observation Point Zion Ponderosa | American Heart Month

*Before beginning any exercise program, be sure to consult with your physician, especially if you are on heart medications or have restrictions due to health issues. The information on this page is for informational purposes only, and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including images and text is for general information purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice.


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