Asthma can be a difficult disease to keep in check. This is because of the fact that it can affect you not just physically, but mentally as well. When the threat of an asthma attack is ever looming, there can be a great deal of anxiety when it comes to performing any strenuous activity, or any other activity for that matter.
This can often lead to feeling isolated as you refuse to hang out with friends or engage in sports of any kind. Unfortunately, this will only make the disease that much worse, because your body isn’t getting the exercise it needs, which leads to poorer health.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Overcoming asthma is all about overcoming mental anxiety, and showing yourself that you can still go out and have fun despite the condition.
Outdoor Activities for People with Asthma
Here are seven fun outdoor activities that will undoubtedly help build your resistance and confidence if you have asthma.
1. Baseball
For those suffering from asthma, starting with a full-blown sport may seem crazy, especially for those who happen to have exercise-induced asthma. However, baseball is a surprisingly friendly sport for people with the disease. Most of the time, the sport requires you to put in effort in quick bouts of sprinting with many downtimes afterward.
Fortunately, this provides one of the best environments for a person suffering from asthma, because it isn’t long and drawn out. So grab a glove, a ball, and a bat from this selection of baseball bats and hit the field, because you’re not likely going to run out of breath, as you will only be expending energy over short periods of time. It’s a great sport to enjoy for those with asthma.
2. Biking
This is another outdoor activity that can make those with asthma a little nervous. After all, it isn’t like walking, where you can go slowly and almost never run out of breath. In biking, even going slowly can make you work up a sweat, which can eventually lead to an asthma attack, right?
Thankfully, that isn’t the case. Pacing yourself when it comes to cycling is a great way to get a good amount of exercise without necessarily making things too difficult. However, remember to monitor breathing, and ensure that you take breaks regularly.
3. Fencing
Just because you have asthma, it doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to do anything exciting. As a matter of fact, one of the best outdoor activities is the intense and precise sport of fencing. Fencing rewards efficiency, meaning that you shouldn’t be overextending yourself.
This will not only boost your confidence but will prevent an asthma attack from occurring. Make sure to pace yourself, and you’ll find yourself making the most of this sport in no time.
4. Walking
While walking is one of the best and most obvious choices for those with asthma, it can still be intimidating, especially when you’re planning to take a long walk. Fortunately, just like cycling, it’s all about pacing yourself. You’re not going to run out of breath anytime soon, which means you’ll be able to walk around for much longer than you may think. This, in turn, strengthens your lungs, which makes asthma attacks far less likely to occur.
Walking is normally the first step to more strenuous outdoor activities, so it’s important for any asthma sufferer never to skimp out on it.
5. Golf
Last but not least, golf is a sport that rewards precision, similar to fencing. You don’t have to strain yourself to do so, and it’s not recommended that you do. It can be an exciting sport when you get a taste for it, and it’s cathartic to go to the driving range and hit a few golf balls as well.
Golf can be both a pleasant and intense outdoor experience. It also makes great exercise at the same time.
6. Track and Field
This is another sport that can have people raising their eyebrows. How can track and field possibly be good for anyone with asthma? The trick to this sport is the quick burst of energy over a very short period. While you can end up out of breath afterward, it’s highly unlikely that it would be enough to provoke an attack.
The best part about track and field is the great amount of confidence anyone with asthma can gain when they give it a shot. When they realize that this kind of strenuous activity isn’t enough to trigger an attack, it’ll make them feel much more comfortable and confident in what they can and can’t do.
7. Volleyball
Another high-intensity sport that’s well suited for asthma sufferers, volleyball is effective because the playing field is relatively small. This means that you don’t have to run anywhere for extended periods. You simply have to stay alert and help the team when the volleyball comes your way.
Being a team-based sport like baseball, volleyball is a good way to lessen anxiety and to feel better about others.
Sound Body, Sound Mind
When it comes to outdoor activities and exercise, remember that, the stronger your lungs are, the easier it will be to manage asthma. This means that a healthy and active lifestyle is still essential to making the most out of your situation.
And you don’t have to risk an asthma attack to do so. Simply stick with the outdoor activities recommended above, and you’ll find yourself healthier and much more confident in no time. In addition, asthmatic individuals who are just starting out with outdoor activities must consult their physician regarding the level of activity that is allowed.
Some safety precautions include the use of pulse oximetry sensors like mediaid SpO2 to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels, especially in high-altitude activities.
About The Author:
Tara is a contributing writer and digital media relations specialist for Cables and Sensors. She’s passionate about healthy living and loves the outdoors. She writes articles on various topics including medical, tech, and marketing. Follow her on Twitter.
