Body By Dave Fitness

Tips from a pro!

Sometimes an outdoor run may be the only moment in your day when you connect with the earth, feel the breeze, feel the outdoor temps and feel great about yourself, she says. Because of my runs, I stopped talking and thinking about what I was missing and really started to embrace where I am right now. What you need to know before running outdoors... Finding yourself outside in nature is one of the best things you can do to regulate your brain and body, and also find yourself feeling more connected to your surroundings, says Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, a registered psychologist and author of "Discipline Without Damage." Movement is hugely important to our physical and mental health, allowing for giant squirts of serotonin to flood our brains and have us feeling happier and more settled. Dr. Lapointe also told me that getting out in nature would not just help with my own mental health and overall well-being, it would be beneficial to my kids, too. The research on neighborhoods and healthy child development suggests that feeling connected to and at home in one’s neighborhood leads to better outcomes," she says. "It’s no wonder that an activity such as running in one’s neighborhood can be a brilliant thing when adapting to huge changes.