Now that the weather is getting warmer again, you can finally start spending more time outside. However, you still have the busy life you had in the winter, so it might feel like you don’t have enough time to spend in the sun. Luckily, there are ways you can still get stuff done while finding ways to get outside more. Now is the time to whip out your favorite swimsuit, show off your new laser hair removal, gather your beach items and soak up the sun! Here are simple ways to start getting outside more often during spring and summer.
Go for a Walk
Many people prefer to start going outside once the snow clears and the weather becomes warmer, but most people imagine spending time outside lounging on furniture or even sleeping in the sand on the beach. However, you can accomplish two things at once by taking a walk. First, you can benefit from fresh air and spending more time outdoors in nature. Second, you can get the benefits of exercise to improve your health and wellness.
Going for a walk doesn’t take too much time out of your day. Any time you spend watching television in the morning before or after work could be spent benefiting your health and happiness.Let’s face it, we all need a little digital detox. Additionally, if you don’t have time to walk when you’re home, you can use your lunch break. Instead of sitting at your desk waiting for your break to end once you’re done eating, you can step outside for a few minutes and walk around the building. A light walk can aid digestion and give you more energy for the rest of the day.
When going for a walk, wear shoes with arch support. Even though you won’t be putting too much pressure on your joints, it’s a good idea to put on running shoes to go for a walk. So if you’re going for a lunchtime walk, you should bring some gym shoes to work with you so you don’t have to go for a walk in heels or uncomfortable shoes.
Have Meetings Outside
If you go to work when it’s dark out and come home when the sun is setting, you have limited opportunities to get outside. However, you can start scheduling meetings outside to help everyone get more fresh air and sunlight during warmer months. Ideally, there will be a few good picnic tables at your office, but you can also choose to sit anywhere outside, including on the grass.
Exposure to nature, especially during working hours, can help eliminate stress and lower blood pressure so you can focus on your work instead of worrying about it.
Work Outside
Meetings aren’t the only aspect of work you can take outside. You can bring anything you can carry outside with you, including documents, notepads, and your laptop, to help you start getting outside more without falling behind on work. Working outside is also a great way to get some time in to focus since you’ll be less accessible if you tell your coworkers you’ll be outside. If you plan to work outside for long periods, you can make your area more comfortable by bringing an office chair to the end of a picnic table or working on the ground and using a portable desk.
Eat Outside
You don’t need to have a family barbeque to start enjoying your meals outside. You can start getting fresh air while you’re doing something else to ensure you’re not wasting any time by taking your lunch outside.
Be Active
Everyone needs more activity beyond walks, although walks are a great way to get into shape if you’re used to a sedentary lifestyle. Once you’re ready to take your fitness routine to the next level, you can start being active outside. For example, you can bring your yoga mat to your lawn, patio, or porch and start doing light stretches outside to see how it feels. Of course, you should be mindful of the weather. If it’s summer, you may only want to work out outside during the early morning hours or late at night to avoid getting overheated.
Train Your Dog
Your dog loves being outside, so there’s no reason not to bring their education out there. If your dog is fairly trained inside, you’ll be shocked to know they might not be trained outside. Being outside can be incredibly distracting for even the most well-behaved dogs because there are so many smells and sounds. Your dog’s senses of smell and hearing are so much stronger than yours. They can smell what your neighbor is cooking for dinner and probably hear their conversations.
When your dog goes outside, you might notice they stop responding to their name or simply don’t listen to you at all. By training your dog outside, you can ensure they are trained well enough for any social situation, including going to the dog park and meeting new people. Dog training is also a way to benefit your dog’s mental health because it can ease anxiety and provide them with much-needed mental stimulation.
Read a Book or Magazine
When you’re spending time outside, you don’t have to be doing anything productive. Spending time outdoors with nature should allow you to relax and unwind, especially after a stressful day of work. If you need some me-time, consider grabbing your favorite book or magazine and read outside. While you might have to deal with cars passing by or children playing, reading outside can help you focus more so you can start to relax.
Go Ahead, Get Outside
You already know all the health benefits of spending time outside, whether you’re working out or not, so try to make a routine of it. By fitting time into your busy schedule to go outside, you can start to get all the benefits of going outside without feeling like you’re losing any time at all. Whether you drink your morning coffee on your balcony or lay on the grass and watch the stars at night, spending time outside is a great way to help you forget about your worries so you can spend time doing something you enjoy.
Author Bio
Julia Olivas graduated from San Francisco State University with her B.A. in Communication Studies. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing and content creation. Outside of writing, she loves cooking, reading, making art, and her pup Ruby.
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