- Many health experts now agree that being outdoors poses a lower risk for coronavirus transmission than being indoors.
- Spending time outdoors can offer many natural health benefits, leading to increased energy, focus, and sleep patterns.
- Step outside and try some of these easy outdoor activities to boost your overall mental and physical wellbeing.
With government lockdowns and physical distancing in place, many people have been deprived of the outdoors for too long.
As cities slowly resume their normal activities and people are encouraged to go outside, you might be wondering how you can spend your time outdoors and make it as valuable as possible.
Being outdoors offers numerous advantages, which can help improve our personal and professional lives. Some of the most notable benefits include:
- Boosts our energy
- Boosts our creativity
- Boosts our immune system, thanks to Vitamin D
- Natural sunlight can help reduce pain
- Free, all-natural aromatherapy
- Decreases anxiety
- Improves our focus
- Can help improve our sleep
Another good point to mention, and highly relevant for our current times, is that many health experts now agree that being outdoors poses a lower risk for coronavirus transmission than being indoors.
Below are some ideas for easy outdoor activities to motivate you to step outside and boost your overall physical and mental wellbeing.
1. Walking
Whether you’re going to the park or just feel like getting out of your home, walking outside gets you moving and is known to be one of the best low-impact exercises for human beings. Combine that with the fact that you’re outdoors and you’re bound to feel an energy boost and feel overall a lot better.
2. Yoga
If you have a rooftop, a garden, or a park nearby, consider taking your yoga mat with you and stretch. There are a lot of free apps and free videos for beginner, intermediate, and advanced yoga sessions. By the time you’re done, you’ll feel energized and invigorated.
3. Reading
If the park is a little ways from your home, rather than taking a stroll or stretching it out, consider taking a book with you. Not only will it be easier for you to focus and dive into your book, but being outdoors can help relax you and put you in the right mood for a reading session.
4. Painting
Whether you’re a pro at drawing and painting, or whether you find some peace in adult coloring, book your next painting or coloring session outdoors. Go to the nearest park or even find a cafe that has outdoor seating.
5. Biking
Consider going for a leisurely bike ride, this can be a great activity to do by yourself or with a couple of friends or family members. If you don’t have a bike, check out local shops that rent bikes and compare prices. Make it more interesting by picking out a spot a few miles away where you can take a break and enjoy a picnic.
6. Meet with People
This can be particularly great for those of you experiencing Zoom fatigue from so many online meetings, whether for work or to meet family. As governments increasingly allow people to spend time outdoors, consider hosting your next work meeting outside; you can pick a local park or even make it a walking meeting.
7. Meditate
Whether you’re a pro or you’re just starting out, outdoor meditation sessions are known to yield major health benefits. Moreover, meditating outdoors activates our senses, which means that you’ll feel more alert and wakeful while practicing meditation outdoors vs inside.
8. Take a break
If you’re struggling with work or having a hard time focusing, consider taking a break outdoors. The change in scenery will help reset and clear your mind, while at the same time boosting your focus or creativity. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re brainstorming or if you hit a block in the middle of a creative task.
9. Play board games
From Monopoly to Chess, there are plenty of board games that can easily be played outdoors. In fact, there are even some that might allow for you to follow physical distancing guidelines if you choose to meet with people that don’t live at home with you.
Regardless of which outdoor activity you pick, remember that the goal is for you to step outside and bask in the benefits of nature, sunshine, and some fresh air. You’ll not only feel better for it, but you might even find that your productivity will improve and work will be more enjoyable after just a few minutes of being outside.
