Spending more time outdoors has been an important self-care practice for me. Whether its hiking in my local park, catching sunset at the beach, or climbing a mountain, spending time close to nature has helped me manage stress, improve my mood, and clear my head. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, upset, or in need of some quiet, the outdoors becomes a therapeutic place for me.
There’s plenty of scientific reasons why spending more time outside and close to nature has significant and wide-ranging health benefits. If you’d love to know how, check out this article from The Harvard Health Letter: “A prescription for better health—go alfresco.” Self-care can be difficult to find time for, and while spending more time in nature is a great intention, it’s not always easy to do. I get it, we have busy lives, long commutes, family commitments, or crazy work schedules. If you need some ideas, read on below for some fun and easy ways to help squeeze in some nature therapy.
12 fun ways you can spend more time outdoors
1. Head out for a mid-day walk: It’s easy to bogged down in the busy-ness of life, work, family, and other responsibilities. However, leaving your desk or house for a midday walk outside – even if its for 10-15 minutes, can have great benefits. It can give your brain a break from being overstimulated, it can increase productivity and creativity, and can help you feel refreshed. Depending on where you work, it might be tough to immerse yourself in nature, but try to walk to an area where you can see a few trees, plants, or flowers. To make sure you don’t skip on this habit, add it to your calendar and treat it like a meeting.
2. Dine al fresco: Make it a habit to enjoy fresh air while you chow down. To get started, commit to one meal per day outside for a week or suggest a picnic with friends instead dining indoors. Eating outside can help us slow down and be more intentional with our food and/or the company we’re with.
3. Visit your local regional park: Go on a Saturday morning trail run with your dog, hike with your kids, or go on a photo-adventure with friends to schedule in some nature time.
4. Get outta town: Sometimes its fun to venture out and explore a different region. Pick a date on your calendar to go on an adventure, away from the city and close to nature’s heart. Depending on budget/time-constraints, go camping, rent a cabin or airbnb, or find a resort where you can have easy access to trails, forests, the seaside, or mountain views.
5. Catch sunset once a week: Plan a date night where you can watch the sunset together, take your camera to a scenic spot for golden hour, or enjoy some alone time as you sit and soak in the sunset.
6. Exercise outdoors: Go on a run, hike, ride a bike, surf, or find an outdoor yoga class.
7. Take a field-trip to a local garden: Sometimes its fun to be a tourist in your own city. Visit a botanical garden, Japanese garden, a rose garden, or any garden that’s open to the public for some nature therapy.
8. Pick up gardening or take a floral design workshop: There’s something therapeutic about working with your hands and creating something beautiful. Don’t have a backyard? Build a balcony garden or start filling your home with simple indoor plants. Love flowers? Sign up for floral design workshop and learn how to make a gorgeous centerpiece for your home.
9. Schedule a photo-adventure with friends: Speaking from experience, sometimes its just REALLY fun to wear a dress, drive to a scenic area with your friends, and take portraits in nature. I know many of us feel awkward in front of a camera, but when you’re just playing around with your friends (and not taking it too seriously), it can be a lot of fun! Whether you go to a local park or take a mini-road trip somewhere outta town, make space for spontaneity – sometimes the most memorable moments and best photos aren’t planned.
10. Read a book under a tree: Whether you go with a friend or alone, find a shady spot beneath a tree and catch up on some reading! Bring a blanket and snacks and enjoy the simple things in life.
11. Go to the beach: Don’t we all need more Vitamin Sea? For those of you who live by a beach, take more advantage of it! Pack a picnic, catch the sunset, or walk along the seashore barefoot.
12. Visit a national park at least once a year: National parks are all over the country, they’re diverse, and are home to some of the most stunning landscapes. Enjoy the fresh air, smell of trees, and opportunity to be one with nature. If you’re not a big camper, you can find lodging just outside the park and still enjoy activities with your family in the park.
I hope you enjoyed this post and are able to squeeze in more time outdoors this week! Comment below and let me know how you spend more time outdoors – I’d love to hear from you!
