Has it ever occurred where you spent an entire day working or making resting at home and when the afternoon rolls around you realize you haven't left the house today?
Between the 9 to 5 grind and keeping up with personal responsibilities, it can be hard to remember to get outside. Going outside has been shown to improve wellness and mental health according to psychologists, it is an easy way to boost your mood, disconnect and recharge.
There are more reasons to get outside and enjoy nature than you expect, even if it is as simple as soaking in some vitamin D or walking to work instead of taking public transport. Here are 10 excuses to get outside and enjoy nature in your free time.
10 Take Lunch Outside
Most people have a 30-minute lunch break, instead of eating in your office's break room or in your kitchen, take your plate outside. It might be a little uncomfortable not having a table, but you can catch some vitamin D and enjoy a moment to yourself. Even if you just spend half of the time eating, take the other for a short walk to get some steps in before getting back to work
9 Go For A Walk Or Hike
What does your afternoon and or weekend routine look like? If you feel like it contains a lot of sedentary time, get active by going on more walks. If you get home from work every day and find yourself sitting in front of the TV, how could you take 15 minutes of that free time to spend it outside? You might be surprised by how much you like it and end up staying outside longer.
Even though resting is vital on the weekend, take some walks or go for a hike in a nature reserve near you.
8 Take A Day Trip
On the weekends, get out of the city at least once a month to submerge yourself in nature. Whatever is accessible to you whether it be the beach, mountains or a forest, enjoy a change in atmosphere.
Going to nature doesn't have to be a long hike if you don't want it to be, you can go for a walk to just enjoy being out of the city with a book and a packed lunch.
7 Pack A Picnic
Whether you go into nature, or just to the park, pack a picnic and enjoy lunch outside. This is taking it a step further from just taking your Tupper ware outside for a 30-minute lunch break and actually planning to spend time outside.
Bring food for a picnic, but also some supplies to keep you busy. Enjoy the sunshine while doing something journaling or reaching your daily page goal with a book.
6 Do Your Favorite Sport
Kill two birds with one stone by spending time outside while being active. If there is a sport you love like pilates or yoga, find an outdoor class. Or if you prefer cardio workouts, find the space to take your workout outside.
From organized teams sports leagues to a solo workout, taking it outside is an easy way to enjoy the fresh air.
5 Go For A Bike Ride
Taking your bike for a spin is another accessible way to spend time outside after work or on the weekends. Ask your friends to join for a social aspect, plus it is a great form of low-impact cardio to add to your active recovery days.
4 Go Stargazing
With the number of lunar missions that 2022 will see, stargazing is a projected social trend amount people to watch out for. It is an easy and passive way to spend time with friends, without doing anything exhausting.
Look up at the sky and wonder about the stars and galaxies. How often do you stop to think about them anyway? Plus it is another excuse to get out of the city and find a spot where you can actually see the stars.
3 Plan A Trip To The Mountains Or Beach
If you live somewhere that is a little too far from the mountains or beach for a day trip, plan a weekend trip instead. Spending the entire weekend will give you the emotional fuel to cherish the outdoors until the next opportunity arises.
The challenge of city living is a lack of green spaces, so instead get out of town for the entire weekend and disconnect in nature.
2 Take Up Gardening
If you want to spend more time outside and connect with nature, consider taking up gardening or at least caring for some plants. Learning to care for plants is harder than it looks, it takes time and learning about how a plant can grow in your home or garden.
Learning these skills is bound to connect you with nature, and provide you with an outdoor hobby, even if being outdoors is just spending more time on your balcony.
1 Try Nature Photography
Other than literally going outside to sit and enjoy, or get some exercise, consider a nature-related hobby.
Photography has been particularly trendy in the last few years partly due to social media, and also the rise of vintage cameras. Taking up photography is an excuse to get outside and practice your hobby, use it, even if you just give it a try a few times.
