How to Spend More Time Outside
If you have been wistfully looking out the window, waiting for winter to end so you can finally enjoy the outdoors and nice weather again, you are not the only one. Here are several ways to spend some time outside once it’s warm out.
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Enjoy a park
Take advantage of any green space in your neighborhood and go visit a park. They are good for your mental and physical health. Plus, it is a great way to reduce stress and increase your life expectancy.
Play at a playground
Have a little fun while letting your inner child out and spend some time at a playground. Slide down a slide, spin on a merry-go-round, and relax on a swing. It’s a great way to destress in an adult world.
Have a picnic
Enjoy the outdoors with a nice picnic, featuring newly grown grass, some blooming flowers, and your favorite meal. Pack up some sandwiches, fill a thermos with your favorite beverage, and grab a cozy blanket. Make sure not to get burnt from the sun by using sunscreen or wearing women’s or men’s outdoor hats.
Spend More Time Outside: Go on a long walk
Try going on a long walk every day to get a multitude of mental and physical health benefits. You get fresh air, your brain releases endorphins, and some decent exercise. Try practicing mindfulness as you walk to get the most out of the experience.
If you find yourself getting bored on your walk, exercise your mind as well by listening to a podcast or audiobook. Walk to an area you’ve never been to before, or check if your city has a self-guided walking tour. It’s a fantastic way to learn something new about your home.
Go birdwatching
Take a sketchbook, a field guide, and some binoculars to enjoy the sights and sounds of your local avifauna. When starting out your bird-watching journey, here are some things to be aware of when identifying a bird: size and shape, color pattern, its behavior, and the habitat that it’s in. By taking notes or sketching the birds you see, you will become an expert in no time.
Go camping
Enjoy some of the most beautiful areas in the country by going on a camping trip. Whether you spend your night in a tent, RV, cabin, or yurt, enjoying the great outdoors is a fantastic way to spend your vacation. Travel to a beach, the mountains, or a nature preserve, so you can unplug and get away from the stresses of modern life. Enjoy seeing the stars around a campfire with friends or family, and get in touch with your more natural self.
Eat outside
Now that restaurants have begun to open up again, a great way to support your local establishment while also enjoying the outdoors is to eat or drink outside on a patio. Make sure that you follow any rules that may have been put in place. Many restaurants have reservation requirements or have eliminated menus, so just be aware that your dining experience might be a little different than you are used to.
Host a BBQ
Get your friends together for a friendly gathering and show off your grilling skills with a tasty BBQ; burgers, ribs, you name it. Get a game of cornhole going and start enjoying the warm sun.
Spend More Time Outside: Get active
Toss around a pigskin or a frisbee with friends and get active. Join your local softball team, play some pick-up hoops, or participate in a round of golf. Playing sports outside has been shown to grow social bonds and help with your mental state, all while keeping you more physically fit. Any one of these ideas is a great way to spend more time outdoors. Make sure you take advantage of that fact and get going. The outdoors is meant to be experienced!
