Summer Well-Being Starts Outside

Summer Well-Being Starts Outside

By KIM LUCEY

Longer days, miles of shoreline, outdoor concerts, backyard dinners and evening walks through the neighborhood all help define summer in Connecticut. They may also help explain why so many people feel healthier and happier this time of year. Experts say outdoor movement, time spent near water and stronger social connections during the summer months can have lasting benefits for both the mind and body.

Outdoor Movement

In Plainfield, residents are embracing working out in a new way at the town’s fitness court at Lions Park, located next to town hall. “It’s a nice and different way of approaching fitness instead of going to a gym or being indoors,” says Beth Anderson, director of recreation for the Town of Plainfield. “Some people feel claustrophobic in a gym, so this gives them another option.” 

The court features a variety of exercise equipment mounted on an outdoor pad, with QR codes that connect users to guided workouts through an app. The workouts range from beginner to advanced levels, allowing residents to build strength and confidence at their own pace. “That way anyone can get started and work their way up,” Anderson says. The equipment is used by everyone from fitness instructors leading classes focused on core training, mobility and balance, to seniors looking to stay active and independent. 

And the fitness court is far from the only way Nutmeggers are taking their workouts outside. From yoga classes in city parks and beach yoga along the shoreline to outdoor Zumba and tai chi sessions offered through state and local recreation departments, experts say people are increasingly looking for ways to combine movement, fresh air and social connection. Outdoor exercises can, “help with mobility, heart and lung health, and there’s also the social atmosphere, the endorphins and the vitamin D,” states Anderson.

Let the Endorphins Flow

Experts say the benefits of outdoor exercise go beyond physical fitness. Dr. Fatima Motiwala, medical director of the REACH Program at Bridgeport Hospital, says exercise is one of the most evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate depression. “Studies show aerobic and resistance training help support neuron growth in the hippocampus, which is reduced in depression,” Dr. Motiwala explains. “Exercise also releases endorphins, and studies have shown even greater gains with outdoor exercise compared to indoor exercise.”

She adds that where you exercise makes a difference, too. “Choosing your walk matters. People get more benefits from walking through nature as opposed to the city, and people living in greener neighborhoods tend to show lower levels of mental health distress.”

The “Blue Mind” Effect

People living in Connecticut have ample access to take advantage of the “blue mind” effect with 332 miles of shoreline, plus more than 3,000 lakes, ponds and reservoirs and thousands of miles of rivers and streams. It’s a term coined by a marine biologist to describe the mildly meditative state people experience when they are near oceans, lakes, pools or rivers. 

Mental health professionals say there is real science behind why so many people feel calmer near the water. “New scientific evidence shows that time spent in blue and green spaces quiets the brain circuits that drive stress and activates the reward system linked to beauty and pleasure,” Dr. Motiwala says. Research also suggests spending time near water has physical benefits, too, lowering heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels.

Water Exercise and Meditation

Water-based fitness programs make a splash year-round, but they can be especially appealing when the temperatures start to soar. More than 10 years ago, Joshua Sedgwick, senior program director for the Downtown Hartford YMCA, got into teaching aqua aerobics while recovering from a back injury. 

“Water is the only reason I can now walk without pain,” says Sedgwick. He says the classes are designed to help participants improve endurance, strength and mobility while reducing stress on the body. “The classes are truly for anybody looking to get moving. The best part is that they are low-impact exercises, meaning someone with joint issues will feel little pain, if any at all.” He points out that water provides natural resistance while also reducing pressure on joints and tissues. “As the human body is less dense than water, the pressure on the joints is significantly reduced. That allows people to strengthen the tendons and tissues around the joints without the same pain they may feel on land.”

In Plainfield, aquatic programming has expanded beyond exercising to include an increased focus on mental wellness. “Our pool meditation classes have been incredibly well-attended,” says Anderson. “We dim the lights, use remote-controlled candles and everybody gets a float. A meditation instructor guides participants through verbal meditation or sound bowl music during a 45-minute session. It’s become one of our most popular offerings,” she states, attracting people of all ages. “Young, old, all the way around.”

The Social Prescription

When the days grow long and the nights get warm, outdoor gatherings naturally follow. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, poolside brunch or beach day, there are plenty of opportunities for getting together with family and friends. Aside from strengthening bonds, these times together can also strengthen emotional well-being. “Socializing is very important for mental health,” says Dr. Motiwala. “It triggers the release of oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, which help counteract stress responses.”

Dr. Motiwala says loneliness has been strongly linked to depression, while regular social interaction can improve both mood and long-term brain health. “Studies have found loneliness is twice as likely to bring on depression,” she describes. “Social engagement also builds cognitive reserve, lowering dementia risk by as much as 50%.” With a season that naturally brings people together outdoors, Dr. Motiwala encourages people to prioritize connection whenever possible. “Treat invitations as a prescription for health, not a luxury.” 

Kim Lucey is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience in both print and broadcast media. She lives in New England with her husband and son, exploring all that each of the four seasons has to offer. Connect on and Instagram @kimlucey.