How Important is Fresh Air for Health?

How much fresh air do we really need to feel a difference? And what happens when we consciously spend more time outdoors? I set out to answer these questions with a little self-experiment.

Week 1

The laziness of the upcoming holidays and the cold temperatures had crept into my body and were hard to shake off. Every day, I had to push myself to step outside for some fresh air. I almost felt grumpy and older than ever because every evening on my way home from work, the thought of spending another hour outside would sink my motivation rather than lift it.

Luckily, I’m naturally determined, so I stuck with it, even though it was tough. But real joy? That was still nowhere in sight.

Week 2

The second week began, and I felt more “down” than “up,” struggling to see anything positive in this challenge. That’s when I decided to talk to a friend about my experiment. They shared three invaluable tips that I couldn’t keep to myself:

1. Reduce the duration:
   “You’ve set your sights too high with an hour every day. That’s too much. It’s like forcing yourself to read three chapters of a book daily. Start with half an hour – or even 20 minutes. That’s enough to begin with.”

2. Incorporate it into your daily routine:
   “You commute to work by train every day, right? How do you get to the station? Do you always park right outside your house, or is there a parking spot further away? That could give you 20 minutes of movement before you even get to work.”

3. Combine it with something you enjoy:
   “Snow is amazing, isn’t it? Absolutely! So don’t just walk the same path every day. Grab your touring skis and go for an evening ski tour in the mountains. Nothing is better for the soul than silently climbing a mountain and feeling the snow under your skis.”

Armed with these tips, I embraced the second week, and they really worked. I realized that commuting to work already gave me two 20-minute outdoor sessions each day. This small victory boosted my spirits, and I finally started to notice how good the fresh air felt. Taking a moment to consciously breathe in the morning and evening air cleared my head of negative thoughts.

Once a week, I prepared my touring skis the night before so I could head straight out for a ski tour the next evening. The numerous piste tour routes in Ski amadé, for example, are perfect for incorporating into your routine.

Weeks 3 & 4

Motivated, I launched into weeks three and four, noticing how my body began looking forward to daily outdoor movement.

My self-experiment showed me how much fresh air and exercise can boost overall well-being – both physically and mentally. While the start was far from easy, I learned that small adjustments and realistic goals make all the difference. It’s not about pushing yourself to the limit every day but about carving out intentional moments in your routine. Whether it’s a ski tour, a walk, or simply the stroll to the train station, every moment outside counts.

In the end, the key takeaway is this: spending time outdoors is genuinely beneficial, and Austria’s breathtaking landscapes make it easy to stick to this habit. It’s worth giving yourself this gift – not just for your physical health but also to clear your mind and recharge your energy.

Exploring Special Places to Breathe
Toward the end of my experiment, I sat down to explore ways to further boost my mental health. Through blogs, articles, and forums, I kept stumbling upon the same advice: find places that let you truly breathe. Seek spots so beautiful that everything else fades away, and immerse yourself in the moment.

Where are these magical places? My research led me to some incredible destinations, particularly in my favorite ski region, Ski amadé. These "Sensations" focus solely on nature, and I’ve decided to visit them soon.

Here are the highlights on my winter bucket list:

• PANORAMA LINK – Shuttleberg-Flachauwinkl-Kleinarl
  A fantastic cable car recently built, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

• 140m LONG LEGENDARY SUSPENSION BRIDGE – Gastein
  I’ve visited it once this season, and it’s my absolute favorite – the views, the silence, the sense of freedom!

• LOUNGE SPOTS ALONG THE KING'S TOUR – Hochkönig
  During my culinary King’s Tour, I came across these spots – thrones in the snow next to the slopes, perfect for relaxing and soaking in the views.

Even if I hate to admit it, sometimes older generations were right – at least about this. Regularly spending time outdoors genuinely clears your mind and makes life a little lighter. My advice? Try it yourself and discover just how good it feels!