It’s official… spending time outdoors is good for you. A report from the University of East Anglia in the UK has revealed that exposure to green space reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, type II diabetes and high blood pressure.
If you’ve reached a stage in your life when your health preys heavily on your mind, you might want to think about increasing the amount of time you spend time outdoors. It’s not always easy, thanks to all your other commitments and responsibilities, but it’ll be worth the effort in the long run.
If you’ve got so used to spending time indoors and are wondering what you can do, here are 7 ideas.
1. Take a Hike
Hiking has been shown to reduce depression, improve your quality of sleep and increase the pleasure you get from life. If you’re not sure where to hike do some research online and you’ll find hikes in your local area. The trails tend to be rated from easy for families with young children to difficult for anyone up for a challenge.
There are so many benefits to spending time outdoors that you’d be mad not to turn down every opportunity to enjoy the fresh air.
2. Watch an Outdoor Movie
Outdoor movie showings have become a popular form of entertainment in many large cities. If you’re lucky, there will be one taking place near you. Simply pack a picnic, invite some friends or family along and enjoy a movie on the big screen, with the added benefit of being outdoors. On the other hand, you could always transform your own outdoor space into a cinema under the stars.
3. Go Camping
Some of you may not have camped out under the stars for a few years now, but it’s a memory worth rekindling. If you’ve never been camping before you don’t know what you’re missing. There are campsites all over the world if you want to make a special occasion of the experience. Hahndorf Resort in South Australia, for example, has caravanning and camping accommodations worth trying.
4. Visit a National Park
If there’s a national park near you take advantage of a ranger-led tour. Free admission is often possible, and you get to enjoy a tour of the area with an expert. Do some research online, and you might find a calendar of upcoming programs that includes bird-watching tours, nature hikes, canoe or boat tours, and tram tours.
5. Go Stargazing
Check out your local museum or planetarium for stargazing and moon-watching events. Alternatively, lay a blanket out in your backyard and spend the evening gazing up at the stars.
6. Join an Outdoor Sports Team
There are plenty of outdoor activities you can take part in if you enjoy keeping fit. Rather than running the treadmill in the local gym get outside and run around your local park. Alternatively, skip the gym and play tennis, basketball, or other outdoor sports with a local team.
7. Go Geocaching
If you enjoy a good scavenger hunt, geocaching might be the kind of outdoor activity you’re looking for. It’s an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a GPS receiver or mobile device to hide and seek containers. These containers are called geocaches or caches at are left at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
If you’ve been feeling a little sluggish lately and want to experience more of the great outdoors, these are just a few suggestions to get you started.
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