Now that beautiful days are in full force, it’s time to take advantage of the gorgeous sunny weather. While many of us have gotten into the habit of doing life indoors, over the past few months, adding just thirty minutes of outdoor time a day can have a hugely positive effect on your health and overall wellness.
Not sure where to start? Here are our favorite ways to get outside and enjoy all that summer has to offer.
Take A Walk
Getting outside doesn’t need to be complicated. If you’re working to build more outdoor time into your daily routine, start by incorporating daily walks around your neighborhood. This is an easy way to get your steps in and connect with your neighbors, with very minimal effort.
Start A Garden
Springtime is the perfect time to start working on your garden. Growing your own food is a great way to cut back on food costs while ensuring that you and your family have access to the freshest possible produce. Be sure to check which growing zone your state is in, in order to help you decide what to plant. Don’t have room for a full-blown garden? You can grow herbs, tomatoes, and even flowers in pots outside your home.
Go On a Run
With the outdoor temperatures heating up, it’s time to ditch the treadmill and take your running routine outdoors. Map out a path in your neighborhood, or find a nearby running trail to get a powerful dose of vitamin D and your daily workout in at the same time. Just be sure to invest in a good pair of running shoes from some of our favorite brands like APL & New Balance to prevent injury. We recommend going to a shop that specializes in fitting runners with a shoe for their specific foot. Top brands like Hoka, APL, New Balance, and Allbirds offer quality shoes at a variety of price points, so that you can find the perfect one for you!
Canoe/Kayak
While it may not be warm enough to jump in the water yet, you can still enjoy the lakes and oceans near you. A canoe and kayak trip is a fun way to explore nature and switch up your daily routine. Many people sell boats second-hand on Facebook marketplace, but a quick google search will help you find rental spots near you.
Roller Skating
Rollerskating used to be thought of as an activity straight out of the 70’s or reserved for childhood birthday parties. But it is back, and more popular than ever. If you’re just trying it out, you can find a local skating rink near you, to practice. Once you get the hang of it, invest in your own pair of roller skates or rollerblades, and spend time cruising down bike paths or other smooth roads.
Outdoor House Projects
Spring is the perfect time to take on that house project you’ve been putting off. Whether you’re repainting, working on landscaping, or maybe just clearing out the garage, take advantage of these sunny days to get it done. Finishing the project will help clear out some mental space for you to tackle other things in your life.
Take A Hike
Looking to switch up the scenery? Trade your daily neighborhood walk for a hike at a state park or nature area. This is a great activity for families, friends, or to do alone.
Go On A Bike Ride
Dig those bikes out of the garage and take them for a spin. Better yet, take them to work, and get a workout in during your commute.
Visit a Farmer’s Market
While warmer climates may have farmers’ markets open year-round, for colder climates, spring is the season where they re-open. Visiting your local farmer’s market is a great way to support your community, and try new foods you might not have heard of before!
Have a Picnic
Pack up your favorite healthy foods, and find a park to have a beautiful picnic in. This is a great excuse to discover new parks and green spaces around where you live.
Explore Your City
Sometimes, we get so used to going to our same favorite places, that we forget to explore and see what the world around us has to offer. Park your car and wander around a neighborhood you’ve never been to before. You might discover cool new shops and restaurants, or beautiful architecture you’ve never seen before.
Garage Sales
Check your local papers and online groups to discover garage sales near you. Grab your spare cash, and make a day of visiting them. You might find some treasures you weren’t expecting. In addition to being a fun, outdoor adventure, it’s also a great way to shop sustainably.
Grounding
The practice of grounding has become increasingly popular over the past few years. Essentially, grounding is the practice of having your skin connect with the earth. While there hasn’t been a great deal of research, the little that exists has shown that grounding can help lower stress, less fatigue, and even decreased pain. With the weather warming up, it is the perfect time to kick off your shoes and reconnect with the earth.
Outdoor Yoga
Whether you can barely touch your toes or can do a handstand with ease, yoga can benefit anyone and everyone. As temperatures rise, more and more teachers are offering outdoor yoga classes. Check your local parks to see if they are offering any classes.
Bonfire
It’s time to dust off your fire pit and invite friends and family over to enjoy a bonfire on a perfect spring night. Make sure to practice good fire etiquette, particularly if you live in a drier climate.
Patio Hopping
Restaurant and brewery patios are reopening. Support local businesses by having a meal. For extra fun, pick a few different establishments and split your meal up between them. You can have appetizers at one, an entree at another, and try somewhere new for dessert!
Outdoor Events
With warmer weather comes the return of outdoor events. Check your city’s local listings to find concerts and other performances at outdoor venues near you. The good news? Many of these can be free of charge.
What is your favorite way to take advantage of amazing weather? Share in the comments below!
