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How getting outside can help you (and your mind) get fit

Embrace the Outdoors: How Nature Nurtures Your Body and Mind.

Being in nature can be one of life’s simple pleasures. Lying in a shaded spot in a park, feeling cool blades of grass against our skin, catching a breeze with the scent of spring. Whether we live in a crowded city or on a remote farm, we all have the ability to experience the great outdoors. And when we do, moving our body can be good for us, too. Studies have shown that simply walking outside (compared to a treadmill inside) can bring us more joy.

Why being outside is good for your health

Many of us can relate to feeling better once we’re able to step outside and take a deep breath. It turns out that breathing in outdoor air can do more for our health than we might realize. Research shows that stress levels can decrease significantly after spending just 15 minutes out and about in green spaces. What’s more, the benefits of green spaces extend all the way to helping us live longer: one study found that participants who lived closest to large amounts of green spaces or areas of vegetation — including in urban green areas — had a 12% lower mortality rate than those who did not.

Bringing a sense of awareness when we’re outside — whether running on a trail in a forest or walking down a bustling city street — is an opportunity to slow our mind and bring our attention to what we’re experiencing in the moment. Outside, we’re able to decreased stress and gain a better ability to focus. 

When we’re mindful, we’re not walking around lost in thought; we are present, observing our surroundings, in terms of the sights, sounds, and smells around us and how they make us feel. We are, in short, more connected to the world around us. 

The benefits of outdoor activities

While spending time outside is beneficial on its own, these physical activities can help both body and mind thrive:

  • Walking.

One study found that people who walk have lower stress levels. And when we focus our attention through a walking meditation, we’re able to take it one step further, literally — bringing body and mind in sync to train our mind in awareness while we move.

  • Running.

Research shows that when we run outside, we flex our ankles more, vary our movements, and use different muscles than we would on a treadmill. Running outside doesn’t only have benefits for our body, but for our mind, too. Unlike a treadmill where we run in place, running outside forces us to focus on our next steps and obstacles in our way to get us to the finish.

  • Gardening.

Exercise isn’t the only option for reaping the health benefits of spending time outside. Gardening is another way to focus our attention on what we’re experiencing outdoors, specifically the beauty, change, and growth that a garden shows us. Caring for a garden can also be an exercise in gratitude, a practice that can lead us to an overall sense of happiness and well-being.

In a world filled with hustle and bustle, reconnecting with nature is our chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and savor the simple joys of the great outdoors. Whether it’s a leisurely walk in the park, a refreshing run along a forest trail, or the therapeutic act of gardening, nature offers us more than just scenery. It’s a natural remedy for stress, a path to heightened awareness, and a gateway to a healthier, happier life. So, step outside, embrace the green spaces, and let the wonders of nature nurture your body and soul. Your well-being will thank you for it, one step at a time.

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PARC Fam, have you checked out PARC PLUS? 📱

PARC Plus is our online fitness portal that allows our community to work out when, where and how you like. Enjoy 1000+ workouts , including:

🏋️‍♂️ Strength & Conditioning workouts
💪 No equipment options
🏃‍♀️ Fun classes to get you moving like Zumba, BodyPump and Boxing
🧘‍♀️ Even a wide variety of low impact classes like yoga and Active Movers
😌 Or find your pace with a meditation class

Not a member? That's ok! Enjoy our PARC PLUS community access with loads of workouts led by our much loved instructors. It's available to anyone who wants to be active. 

You can access PARC Plus through the TechnoGym app or via the website.

Check it out here: https://parc.peninsulaleisure.com.au/parc-plus/

#PARCFrankston #PARCPLUS #TechnoGym #PeninsulaLeisureXplorapp
Missing lap swimming? We've got you covered! 🏊‍♀️ 

Thank you for your patience as we complete important works on the Main 50m Pool. While the lanes get a much needed makeover, there’s still other things do to keep you moving at PARC:

🧘🏻‍♂️ Join a low impact class - from yoga to our cycle studio, try one of our many group exercise classes to shake up your routine.
🧖‍♀️ Relax and recover in the spa - our Warm Water Pool Hall is still open to soak your stress away.
📱 Try our PARC Plus community access with hundreds of workouts for all fitness level. The videos are led by our much loved PARC Group Exercise Instructors - See the link in bio

We're here to support you remain active and thank you for your continued patience.

#PARCFrankston #WellnessYourWay #StayActive
Three weeks later and we're still celebrating!! 🎉

We're still so excited to have won Facility of the Year Award for both PARC and PINES at the ARV Awards last month. 

A huge thank you to our amazing PARC Fam and our PINES passionates for your support has helped make our facilities truly special. We can't stop dancing! 💃🕺

#PARCFrankston #PINESFrankston #ARVAwards
Meet the PARC Reformer superstars

It's cold outside, but the PARC Reformer instructors you know and love are here to help you keep warm and keep moving. Our passionate PARC Reformer team is committed to supporting your health and wellbeing journey by bringing you support, expertise and the good vibes to every session. 

We’re here to guide you, challenge you, and cheer you on as you build strength and confidence on the new beds, in the new studio - all included in our Full Access memberships! 

A friendly reminder that you need to attend 2 instructor led classes prior to booking in to our Virtual and On-demand options. 

Check out the timetable and class options via the link in bio

#PARCFrankston #PARCReformer #superstars
Congratulations to the Winners of the My Movement Challenge 🏆

We've loved seeing everyone around the Centre getting involved and keeping up consistency over the last month. We're so inspired by our PARC fam and their dedication to keep moving and complete the Challenge. 

Well done to everyone who joined in on the My Movement Challenge. 

#PARCFrankston #MyMovementChallenge #Forthewin #PARCBeanie
✨ New Class Alert! ✨

Les Mills SHAPES has landed at PARC! A fun, low-impact workout that blends Pilates, barre and power yoga for strength, tone and mobility. 

Join us on:
Monday @ 5:15pm
Wednesday @ 6:00am & 5:15pm
Friday @ 8:10am

Les Mills Shapes is a fun new way to get a great workout and change up the Pace and move with purpose. check out the link in bio to see what this exciting new class is all about! 

You can book your spot through the Peninsula Leisure Xplor app or customer portal via the link in bio

#PARCFrankston #LesMillsShapes #PilatesInspired #NewClass #FrankstonFitness
Reminder: Closure notice – Main 50m Pool 

Our Main 50m Pool is now closed from Monday 30 June – Sunday 27 July for planned improvement works and will reopen Monday 28 July.

🔴 CLOSED: Over the period, the 50m pool will be closed. 
🟢 OPEN: All other aquatic facilities will remain open, including the Learn to Swim Pool, Warm Water Pool Hall, Waterslides and Aquatic Playground. Importantly, this means that PARC Swim lessons in the 50m pool will not run. 

If you would like to suspend your membership for the closure period, you can do so via our website - Link in bio

Suspensions used will not go towards members’ allowable suspensions and won’t impact the suspensions rules. 

Please visit our website to learn more about these planned works and impacted services during this time - Link in bio

Thank you for continued patience and support as we complete these important upgrades. 

#PARCFrankston #Centreupdates
Keep cup challenge! ☕️ 🙌

Round 1 Maya vs Drew

We think Maya had this one in the bag, cracking the code in 26 seconds, but both are number 1 in our hearts. 🫶

Grab your Fressko Keep cup at PARC Cafe today and stay tuned for round 2 Kynen vs Nathan. 

#PARCFrankston #Keepcup

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