Exercising at home may be the go-to response for those with no access to gyms or nearby parks, but you can still level that up by using your backyard. Besides, it’s much healthier to exercise in your backyard because you’ll be able to breathe in the fresh air as you do your curl-ups, stretches, or yoga poses.
Imagine being able to lay your yoga mat on the grass as you play ambient music and not having a care in the world. Or you can play some upbeat music while you get your heart pumping through cardio. The point is that the possibilities of what you can do in your backyard are limitless, and all you have to do is make the space welcoming. Here’s how you can do it:
Do Regular Landscaping
It can be demotivating to exercise in a backyard that looks like it has been abandoned by civilization. Although you might be mowing the grass occasionally, it’s still a different matter altogether if you make sure the grass and the soil are healthy. Plus, it’s better to exercise or do yoga on a healthy patch of grass.
So, make it a point to regularly do your landscaping, if only to maintain your backyard’s good health. By taking the time to take care of your yard, you’ll be more encouraged to stay outside and soak up some sunlight on days when you need a break from the online world. And it helps you stay more active.
That’s why you should always maintain your yard. It’s unnecessary to splurge on getting your hedges shaped or having topiaries in your backyard; what matters is that your yard is pest-free and healthy. This way, you’ll want to spend more time in the outdoors, even if only to breathe in some fresh air from time to time.
Build a Backyard Structure
If your backyard is basically an empty lot, it could bode well for you to build some structure to give it life. For instance, you can build a deck or a patio where you can place outdoor furniture. This way, you’ll have a place where you can eat your breakfast al fresco or drink your sweet tea while basking in the afternoon sunlight.
But make sure to repair existing pavers around the area beforehand. By doing so, you’ll be able to increase the value of your property and make it look more appealing at the same time. Plus, this could also be a good DIY project if you’re handy with tools because building a deck or patio can be your new pastime.
Just make sure to be careful during your project because beauty shouldn’t come at the cost of your safety. But if you can’t trust yourself with tools and drills, it might be best to leave your backyard project at the hands of professionals. This way, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the minor transformation.
Install an Expandable Awning
Although the sun is breathtaking, it can also have damaging effects on your skin. So even if you’re wearing sunscreen on your face and body, it might not be enough to protect yourself against the harmful effects of UV rays. But it would be a shame if you can’t enjoy the natural sunlight in your backyard.
In this sense, it could be wise to have an expandable awning installed in your yard. This will allow you to enjoy the warmth during the daylight without having to expose yourself directly to the sun. Plus, it could also be useful if you enjoy holding barbecues, family gatherings, or picnics at home. This way, you can do it outdoors.
Additionally, the awning can also be useful if you want to exercise or do yoga outdoors, but the sun is too harsh on your skin. That’s why you should consider having an expandable awning installed in your backyard, especially if you’re planning to spend more time outdoors now more than ever.
Redesign the Backyard
It’s one thing to have a well-maintained backyard, but it’s another to say that it’s neat and organized. You can have healthy-looking grass and soil but still make it seem like a tornado just flew past. So if you’re not maximizing the potential of your backyard, then it could be a waste of green space.
To address this, you could redesign your entire yard. Start by sketching how you plan to make use of the space you have. This can include any plans to build backyard structures, create a small garden, have an open space for playing and exercising, or install an area for barbecues. Once you have the draft, you can start putting your plan into action.
But remember that you don’t have to do everything simultaneously because that can be overwhelming and expensive. If you don’t have the budget to redesign the entire yard at the same time, you can just focus on one or two areas and work your way from there. At least you can slowly make progress this way.
When you have an open space that’s both inviting and welcoming, it might be easier to push yourself to enjoy the outdoors. Plus, it could be the motivation you need to get up and exercise. So if you’re waiting for that extra push to focus on your overall health and fitness, this is it. Do what’s best for you.
