“The environment, after all, is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest. It is one thing that all of us share. It is not only a mirror of ourselves, but a focusing lens on what we can become.”
Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson
With the weather warming up in the northern hemisphere, it’s time to start doing outdoor activities that can enrich our lives. There are loads of things you can do outside. Spending just 2 hours in nature per week can “significantly boost health and well-being.” Being in nature is a great way to connect with your surroundings and ground yourself to help relieve unwanted or painful emotions. An active and healthy lifestyle has proven to increase one’s life expectancy, improve one’s quality of sleep, and reduce the risk of developing cancer. Here are four easy ways to get yourself outside this spring and summer.
Try your hand at gardening!
Whether you live in an apartment or a house, springtime is a great time to start setting up an indoor or outdoor garden. Gardening not only provides us with fresh food, flowers, and herbs, but it also poses a way to fulfill emotional needs while creating a spiritual connection. A garden can be a peaceful haven or a quiet getaway from the stresses of everyday life. It can also instill a sense of achievement while allowing one to get more in touch with nature. Growing fruits, vegetables, or herbs can be a great way to be more aware of what you’re putting into your body. Homegrown food is an easy way to be sure that what you’re eating is safe and fresh, without any of the harsh chemicals sometimes found in store-bought produce.
Go on a hike!
Hiking is an excellent way to get outside, get your body moving, and take in the great outdoors! Chances are, there are tons of trails near you just waiting to be explored! Grab a friend, family member, furry friend, or simply explore your state’s wonderful nature by yourself! The physical benefits of hiking are plentiful. Hiking, which is a full-body workout, strengthens muscles and bones, improves balance, improves heart health, and improves the respiratory system. Take a hike at one of your local hiking trails, or plan a trip and venture to one of our nation’s 400+ National Parks.
Take a trip to a nearby body of water!
Warm weather makes water activities that much more tempting. But when the nearest beach is hours away, what does one do to quench the thirst for a refreshing dip? Swimming or wading in a sanctioned freshwater stream is perfectly safe and lots of fun. If you live in North America, check out this interactive map to determine your nearest swimming hole. There are loads of activities you can do in freshwater swimming holes; you can go kayaking, fishing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and much more! The possibilities are endless. Just make sure you check in with your local environmental services branch to see what activities you can and can’t do.
Be a tourist in your town!
Spend the day sightseeing and walking around your town. Executive Director of SELF, Casey Gueren, started exploring her town by walking the less-traveled routes during her walks. She walks “anywhere that looks interesting and doesn’t have a person in the way” and, as a result, has gotten to explore some fascinating areas of her neighborhood that would have gone unseen. A great way to see your town with a new lens is by bringing your camera along for a walk. Photograph things that grab your attention and see your perspective shift. Explore things you may have never seen before and gain a new sense of curiosity in your surroundings!
Getting outside is a fantastic way to get back in touch with oneself, with nature, and with our community. OneNature believes that our connection to nature strengthens and improves our well-being and happiness. Spending time outdoors can not only benefit your physical health, it’s also proven to provide immense benefits for our mental health as well.
What are you looking forward to doing most this summer?