Hobbies are good for your mental and physical well-being, and if you can find a hobby that gets you outside into the fresh air, that’s even better. Getting outside means you have more opportunities to boost your vitamin D levels, and you can breathe in fresher air than you would indoors. Plus, being outside can reduce your stress levels and improve your mental health. So if you’re looking for a new hobby and you want to try being outside more, read on; here are some to consider.
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Best Outdoor Hobbies: Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
More and more outdoor sports centers are offering standup paddleboarding (SUP) for people to try. That’s because it’s a great way to get fit, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s also something you may not have done before, and perhaps you don’t know anyone who has tried it, making it unique and exciting. To do SUP, you stand on a paddleboard, which is like a surfboard, with a paddle and direct yourself where you want to go.
When you try SUP, you can really connect with nature; you’ll literally be standing on a board on the water, whether that’s a river, lake, canal, or perhaps the sea (although this latter option should be reserved for when you have some experience in the hobby, as it’s much harder). You can truly switch off and focus on your surroundings and what you’re doing, which, when it comes to an outdoor pursuit, is all-important.
Geocaching
Geocaching is something the whole family can do together, or you can do it yourself if you prefer – there are no specific rules. The only thing you will need is the right equipment. You’ll need a smartphone or a handheld GPS, and you’ll need the geocaching app. You’ll also need good walking boots, so invest in the best LOWA hiking boots to ensure your feet are comfortable; you might have a lot of walking to do. On top of this, you’ll need a pen and, if you intend to be out all day, plenty to drink and some snacks too.
Geocaching is a big treasure hunt, to put it simply. Using the app, you walk to various locations to find ‘caches’, which could be anything from tiny magnetic containers to large plastic boxes. In the cache, there will be a log to physically sign, and you’ll also need to sign it off through the app. It’s a great way to make walking in the countryside much more fun (although there are caches everywhere, including in town centers).
Best Outdoor Hobbies: Metal Detecting
If geocaching is like a treasure hunt, metal detecting really is one. Again, you’ll need some equipment, such as a metal detector and digging tools like a trowel, but you don’t need a lot to get started, and if you join a group of other enthusiasts (there is likely to be one near you), you might even find you can borrow some equipment to start with.
Remember, though, metal detecting should always be treated as fun, and you shouldn’t expect to find anything really valuable (although people have in the past – it’s always a slight possibility). It’s more about the process than the results in this instance.
