Challenge Tips

With spring showers, along with flowers, comes yard work. You’re probably not excited about the outdoor chores you’ve been putting off now that the weather is warming up. Who wants to wash windows, rake leaves, or pull weeds? While these tasks may seem tedious and time-consuming, they benefit your body and mind.

Yard work is a great form of exercise. Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, and gardening all require physical exertion, which can help improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. Just 30 minutes of moderate-intensity yard work can burn up to 165 calories (for a 125-pound person), which is comparable to a brisk walk.

Outdoor chores also benefit your mental health — spending time in nature while doing outdoor activities can lower stress and improve mood. One study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who spent 20 minutes in a natural setting, such as a garden, had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Depending on what your property needs, try one of these outdoor tasks today:

• Mow the lawn: Pushing a lawn mower provides a great lower body workout and can burn a hefty number of calories. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of fresh cut grass?
• Work in the garden: Gardening requires digging, bending, twisting, and moving. It can also give you a sense of purpose and satisfaction as you watch your plants grow.
• Clean up debris: Clearing away fallen branches or other debris from the yard is a full-body workout. And a clean, organized yard will give you a more inviting space to relax in.
• Rake leaves: This activity can improve upper body strength and cardiovascular health while providing a sense of accomplishment as you see the leaf piles grow.

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