It seems like everyone is busy all the time; no one has free time anymore! At least, that’s what we tell ourselves… It’s true that we live busier lives than we once did, and that we have more responsibilities as we get older. But that’s no excuse to not spend time outside like you did when you were younger! It’s important for your physical and mental health to make time to get outside, even if you have what feels like a million other things to do each day. Plus what do you even do outside?
Did you know that the average American spends 95 percent of their life inside? Make the healthy choice to stop living a sedentary lifestyle and head outside.
In this blog, we will share things to do outside and how to spend more time outdoors.
Exercise Outside
It’s recommended that you get 30 minutes of exercise every day to remain healthy. Some of us have fitness routines in place that might involve going to the gym or a preferred fitness class. Add some variety to your schedule! Choose to go outdoors for a run, or if you’re looking for a slower pace, take a walk.
Look at your community events calendar to see if there are any outdoor fitness or wellness classes that you can sign up for. There are usually lots of opportunities during the summertime. Choose a class the is well suited to your interests, like yoga, kayaking, or even dancing! Spending time outdoors provides you with many health benefits, like higher levels of vitamin D and reduced levels of stress. On your weekends, choose to walk or bike over driving when possible. Most importantly, you don’t want to make physical activity a chore. Tie in an incentive if you need a little extra motivation, such as walking or biking to dinner at your favorite local restaurant.
Take Your Meals Outside
Here’s an idea that you can take advantage of both at work and home. During the workweek, give yourself a well-deserved break during your lunch away from your desk. Go outside and breathe in the fresh air while mindfully clearing your head of all work-related thoughts for an hour. By the time you return to your office, you’ll be ready to tackle the rest of the day. Staying hydrated at work will also help keep you energized and help prevent an afternoon slump. Don’t forget to pack your HYDAWAY bottle along with your lunch!
At home, eat dinner on your back patio. This is easy to do and will be something to look forward to after work as the weather gets warmer. Experiment with new summertime recipes that use in-season fruits and vegetables. You could also teach yourself to grill before the barbecue season gets fully underway. Depending on the time you eat and if you have the right view, you might be able to take in the sunset. What a beautiful way to end your day!
Find a New Hobby
Warm weather is the perfect time to add a new routine to your weekly schedule. There are so many outdoor activities you can choose from, including cycling, playing tennis, and gardening – just to name a few! Whatever you pick, make sure it’s a hobby that you enjoy and won’t add stress to your (already) busy life. The great thing about taking on a new hobby during the warmer months is that the days are longer, making it feel like there’s more time to fit things in. It’s important to have an activity that forces you to get out into nature and allows you to take time for yourself. Having a new hobby to look forward to will surely add new energy to any ordinary schedule!
Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day
National Get Outdoors Day is June 9th. Use this holiday as an excuse to plan outdoor activities. This could be as extravagant as organizing a weekend camping trip or as simple as taking a walk around the block. Explore some of your city’s outdoor attractions like the zoo, botanical gardens, or beaches. Invite your friends and family together for a picnic in the park and stretch your competitive bone with a game of frisbee. Have fun acting like a tourist in your own hometown! The options are endless.
More things to do outside are:
- Horseback riding
- Plan a picnic
- Have a beach clean up
- Watch the sunset
- Have a water balloon fight
- Go mini-golfing
- Visit a State Park
- Ride a bike
It’s easy to spend more time outdoors when you make it fun. We hope this blog inspires you to soak the sun and gives you something to do outside.