A new year has begun, which means change is in the air. People are more open and willing to new habits and routines that will create a fresh beginning for the twelve months that follow. Most resolutions involve something along the lines of diet and exercise and tend to fall to the wayside early on in the year.
I don’t doubt for one second that you can keep a resolution, but a week into the new year, I want to propose something different for you. A fresh intention that will reap benefits far beyond what you can imagine.
New Year Intention: Get outside more
While “more” can be open to interpretation, setting this goal in whatever capacity you are willing will help mix up your day-to-day routine and add natural beauty where you can. Why? Because if you allow it, getting outside more inevitably changes you and your perspective. It reminds you of the simplicities in life and how they too often go unnoticed.
Simplicities like being mesmerized by colors changing across the morning sky, birds wisping through the air on their next adventure, or the beautiful colors of the trees around you.
These things happen daily but are simply waiting for you to notice them. And the most beautiful thing that happens when you get outside is that you inevitably get closer to the One who created it all. The One who paints the colors across the sky every day. The One who created the birds and sustains them. The One who gave a purpose to every tree and plant on this planet. The One who loves you more than you could ever even imagine.
Getting outdoors doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive, or time-intensive. There are multiple ways to get outdoors more in 2024 that are easy to add to your weekly routine. In this blog post, I’ll share fifteen practical ways that you can get outside more in 2024.
13 Ways to Get Outside More This Year
1. Find an outdoor activity/hobby that you enjoy
If you’re used to spending more time indoors than out, this might take a bit of experimenting. Having an outdoor activity or hobby is what will keep you getting outdoors throughout the year, but the key is that it needs to be something you enjoy. You’re most likely not going to spend more time outdoors this year if you don’t enjoy it. So, let’s find something that works for you and will continue to motivate you to choose to spend time outdoors rather than indoors.
Here are some places to start: gardening, hiking, biking, nature photography, camping and kayaking.
Whatever activity or hobby you choose, please make sure you follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.
2. Watch the sunrise and/or sunset
There’s nothing quite like waking up early and watching a new day dawn. The beautiful colors of a sunrise paired with the sounds of nature waking up is one of the best ways to kickstart your day. If you’re not an early riser, find a good sunset-watching spot you can head to after work. For all the families reading this, find a local park with a decent sunset view to spend quality time outdoors together before it gets dark.
3. Enjoy your morning coffee or breakfast outside
Mornings are typically filled with small routines that can easily be done outdoors. If you’re already sitting and enjoying your coffee or breakfast, why not do it outside? If you’re too busy in the mornings and tend to have your coffee and breakfast on the go, going to bed earlier and waking up 10-20 minutes could help slow your mornings down a bit. Starting your day in a rush is never fun. You know what is? Getting fresh air and watching the world around you wake up for a new day.
4. Eat your lunch outside
Weather permitting, of course, getting outdoors during your lunch break is a great way to get some fresh air during the day. Whether you bring a blanket and picnic on the grass, go tailgate-style in the parking lot, or find a local park with plenty of benches and natural beauty, getting outside is the goal. It doesn’t have to be fancy or Instagram-story worthy–just somewhere you can enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding you.
And yes, no matter where you are, there is always nature surrounding you. Even in a big city, there are clouds rolling by, birds flying through the air, sassy squirrels enjoying their days, and green spaces to admire.
5. Plan a picnic
What better way to spend a couple of hours on a weekend than picnicking in the park (or your favorite outdoor space)? Invite someone, or multiple someones, to join you for lunch, or stick with the party-of-one status and fully immerse yourself in the beautiful outdoors without any distractions.
Pro tip: your picnic doesn’t have to look like the spreads you see on social media or in movies. A simple sandwich, chips, fruit, and other easy things to plan for and pack work just as good.
6. Make daily walks a priority
One of the easiest ways to get outdoors is by prioritizing a simple walk every single day. You don’t have to walk for hours to soak up the benefits–10-15 minutes will do just fine. Heck, even 5 minutes is better than nothing. Take a stroll around your neighborhood or local park at some point during the day to move your body and enjoy some fresh air.
7. Cut back on screen time
I don’t think I need to lecture you on why being outdoors is more beneficial to your health than scrolling through TikTok on your couch. I will say that limiting screen time–whether on your phone, laptop, or TV–allows for more time outdoors.
Instead of waking up and immediately reaching for your phone or watching a show when you get home from work, get outside and go for a walk, enjoy your new favorite outdoor activity, or sit outside and read for 15 minutes. Trading even an hour of your screen time during the day for something outdoors will drastically improve your day and health.
8. Day-trip to the closest state park
Wouldn’t we all love to be able to take a road trip to our favorite national park multiple times a year? Ahhh, that’s the dream. While it’s definitely possible to do so at least once a year, it isn’t necessarily practical to get outdoors in our everyday lives. That’s where state parks come in. Every state has multiple state parks to choose from, and most of them, if not all, have many activities to do.
From walking to biking to kayaking to grilling to camping, there is something for everyone. So, gather the family, pack some food and supplies, and hit the road for a fun little road trip to your nearest state park!
9. Camping trip
Some of you hear “camping trip” and immediately offer a resounding no, but hear me out. Camping is an inexpensive way to get outdoors. It offers you a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and provides you with a unique, natural experience. There are plenty of ways to make camping more suited for your comfort needs–purchasing a good sleeping pad or air mattress, for example. Plus, if you pick the right campsite, you’ll have the perfect view for the next thing on our list.
Don’t forget to follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace while camping.
10. Stargazing
If you’ve never taken more than a few minutes to admire the nighttime sky, you should start this year. There’s nothing like a night sky filled with the sparkling light of stars that are super far away. It reminds you that the universe is much bigger than the small space you occupy here on earth.
To view the stars, you can do a fancy truck bed kind of situation like they do in the movies or opt for a blanket on the ground in your favorite park with a good view of the sky. For those of you in areas with lots of light pollution, this may require you to drive away from the city, but the view will be 100% worth it.
11. Shopping at local farmer’s markets
There are numerous pros to shopping at a Farmers Market, but one of the best is that you get to do it outdoors. It isn’t practical to shop only at farmers’ markets, but they make a fun outing and allow you to buy fresh produce and interact with the farmers and small businesses in your area.
Most cities and towns host a farmer’s market at some point during the week or weekend. It just takes a quick Google search to find which is closest to you.
12. Take your dog to the dog park
A win-win for you and your pup. On those long work days that I don’t feel like being active outdoors, simply taking my doggo to the dog park keeps me from being a couch potato and helps me get some fresh air. Plus, running around with your dog is a great way to de-stress.
Some of you aren’t the biggest fans of dog parks, and that’s okay. Let them tag along on the daily walks you’re now making a priority (see #5). Don’t have a dog? Maybe this is the year you’ll finally get one.
13. Buy and wear the appropriate clothes
Similar to #7, this won’t directly get you outdoors, but you’re more likely to get outdoors if you are prepared. Who wants to go outside in the summertime in a hoodie or sweatpants or hike in the snow in running shorts? No one, I hope. Updating your wardrobe isn’t necessary, especially if you already have the clothes you need to get out into nature more–you may just need the motivation to do so.
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