Spring is officially here, which means the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. While there’s still a little longer to wait for summer, getting outdoors more and enjoying nature at this stunning time of year should be on the menu for everyone. The benefits of being outdoors are after all many, with nature scientifically proven to boost your mental and physical health as Healthline details:
“According to a 2019 study that included data from 19,806 participants, spending at least 120 minutes in nature per week can significantly boost health and well-being. You can go for a 2-hour chunk all at once, or break it up into smaller daily segments — the benefits still hold. Even without any greenery around, spending time in sunlight and fresh air may help you feel better in mind and body.”
By spending more time outdoors, you’ll be able to breathe a little easier, enjoy better sleep quality and quantity, reduce low mood and fatigue, improve your motivation, boost your immune function, and restore your mental wellbeing – to name but a few benefits. Better yet, being outdoors is fun!
To help you on your mission to get outdoors more this spring, we’re here to share eight feel-good ways to enjoy all that nature has to offer.
1. Hit up your local forest
Forest bathing is a phenomenon we explored in a recent blog post, and now is the perfect time to get started if you haven’t done so already! Unlocking several plus-points for the mind, body and soul, forest bathing is a Japanese practice that’s well known and much loved for keeping stress to a minimum and boosting wellbeing.
By practising mindfulness and deep breathing in a picturesque forest setting, you can connect with nature and yourself!
2. Just go for a walk
Whether you’re based in the city, country or somewhere in between, embracing the joys of the great outdoors this spring is simple. Just lace up those trainers or hiking boots, and head out for a wander to a nearby park or beauty spot.
You don’t have to venture to entirely green surroundings to enjoy nature either. There’s natural beauty to be discovered in urban areas too, so use all your senses to soak it up.
Listen out for bird song on the busiest streets or in the quietest corners, breathe in the scents of springtime flowers and freshly cut grass, and take in the sights and shades of your setting. Exploring at different times of the day can also bring new joy from routes well-travelled.
3. Get out in the garden
Nature can be enjoyed on your doorstep too. Whatever the size of your outdoor space, you should relish the opportunity to get green-fingered this spring. By completing those spring gardening tasks, you can be productive and in nature as well as cultivate an outdoor space you can enjoy for seasons to come.
4. Fill up those feeders
Even a task as simple as topping up those bird feeders is a great way to enjoy the sights and sounds of spring a little longer. Spending just a few minutes outdoors has its benefits, and creating a home for nature is so satisfying too.
5. Pack a picnic
Dining alfresco is another fantastic way to enjoy nature, whether you’re pitching up in your garden or adventuring a little further afield. Be sure to read our picnic preparation tips before heading out and invest in one of our picnic blankets to enjoy a comfy base that’ll serve you well for many outdoor excursions to come.
6. Grab your camera and go
Indulge your love of photography this spring, and observe and capture nature at its best. You don’t need expensive equipment to get started either. Your smartphone can be your camera! Keep an eye out for free or affordable photography walking events in your area too.
7. Get arty in other ways
Photography isn’t the only art form that can be practised outdoors. Several creative activities can be taken outside in the sunshine, and many require zero prep. From sketching and painting to something a little craftier, they’re the perfect opportunity to spend time alone or with loved ones in the natural world.
8. Snuggle up outdoors
Sit back, relax and take in your surroundings in complete comfort by taking one of our blankets or cushions outdoors in the garden with a cup of tea (or something a little stronger) and really making the most of those lighter, warmer evenings. If you have a firepit or patio heater, then even better!
