As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Doing outdoor activities not only boosts your mood and physical health but can also promote good hearing health. Here are some outdoor activities that can help maintain and even improve your hearing health.
Hiking
Hiking is a great way to explore nature and get some exercise. It’s also an activity that promotes good hearing health. Hiking increases blood flow throughout the body, including to your ears. Being out in nature also allows your ears to rest from the constant barrage of city and indoor noises, giving them time to recover. Hiking on varied terrain stimulates your vestibular system, which is directly linked to your auditory system. This stimulation supports neuroplasticity, which can help your brain process sounds more efficiently.
However, it’s important to take precautions to protect your hearing while hiking. If you’re hiking in a noisy area or with a noisy group, use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to protect your ears.
Swimming
Swimming is another activity that promotes good hearing health. The weightlessness of being in water can reduce stress on your joints and help you maintain your overall health with exercise. It can also aid in relaxation, which can positively impact your hearing health.
However, it’s important to be cautious while swimming to prevent ear infections or other issues that can harm your hearing. Wear swim plugs or a swim cap to keep water out of your ears while swimming and avoid swimming in dirty or contaminated water.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a popular outdoor activity, and it also promotes good hearing health. Listening for different bird calls and songs can help train your ears to differentiate between similar sounds and improve your auditory processing skills. Being out in nature and being mindful of the sounds around you can help reduce stress and support overall well-being.
To make the most of birdwatching for your hearing health, consider investing in a pair of high-quality binoculars. Be aware of your surroundings and any potential hazards, such as uneven terrain or wildlife.
Outdoor Yoga
Yoga is a great way to reduce stress and improve your physical and mental health. However, practicing outdoors can provide additional benefits to your hearing health. Practicing in a quiet, peaceful outdoor setting can allow your ears to rest and recover from the noise pollution of everyday life.
Additionally, practicing yoga outside can help you reconnect with your breath and focus on the sounds and sensations around you. Tuning into the sounds of nature and your own breath can help improve your auditory processing skills and support relaxation.
Walking or Running
Walking or running is a simple but effective way to get some exercise and spend time outdoors. It’s also an activity that can promote good hearing health. Being active can improve blood flow to the ears, supporting healthy hearing.
To protect your hearing while walking or running outdoors, consider using noise-canceling headphones to reduce the impact of noisy environments.
Gardening
Gardening is a relaxing and rewarding outdoor activity, and it can also promote good hearing health. Being out in nature and engaging in a mindful activity can help reduce stress and support overall well-being. Engaging in tactile activities, such as planting or pruning, can also stimulate your brain and support neuroplasticity, which can improve your auditory processing skills over time.
To protect your hearing while gardening, consider using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones if using loud power tools or equipment.
Outdoor Sports
Playing outdoor sports, such as basketball or soccer, is a fun way to stay active and spend time outside with friends. However, many sports can be noisy and put your hearing at risk. To protect your hearing while playing outdoor sports, consider using earplugs.
Visit Us to Learn More About Healthy Hearing
Getting outdoors is a great way to boost your overall physical health as well as your hearing health. From hiking to birdwatching to gardening, there are many activities that can help improve your auditory processing skills, reduce stress, and support overall well-being. Try a few of these activities, then visit us to learn more. If you notice any signs of hearing loss, we recommend getting a comprehensive hearing test to learn more.