If you’re in a particularly stale situation in life, there is a cure-all that can help you find new energy in life: getting outside.
Multiple studies have shown the health benefits of being out in nature. It can reduce your stress levels, improve your mood, and even give you more energy.
Spending time outdoors can also improve your resolve on life itself, especially if things have been feeling stale lately. Maybe you’ve felt “stuck” and isolated for too long because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Or, maybe you just need a pick-me-up that can help you feel rejuvenated.
Whatever the case, getting outside and being active, in any form will help you to find the vigour you’re looking for. Even things like road tripping, digging for treasure, and playing outside can give you a new sense of enjoyment.
Go On a Random Road Trip
There is a wide range of activities you can do outdoors. Some are complicated like rock climbing. Some are more simple like going for a scenic drive or a short road trip to appreciate nature’s beauty. Plus, you can use it as an opportunity to make frequent stops and see some beautiful, natural locations. Not only does driving allow you to cover a lot of ground in a short period, but you can focus on a practical task while contemplating other things that might be on your mind.
Make sure you’re using driving as a purposeful solution, not necessarily a distraction. Defensive driving is incredibly important, and you should always focus on things like weather conditions, other drivers on the road, and taking your time. When you take a drive to appreciate the great outdoors, the last thing you want to do is rush.
Taking a car trip is a wonderful opportunity to explore new areas, especially if you like outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, or camping. Being active and getting some exercise outdoors is a highly-effective way to reduce stress and take care of your physical health all at once.
Be a Modern-Day Treasure Hunter
When you’re looking for more vigour in your life, what could be better than finding treasure? You might not dig up a buried chest of gold, but there are plenty of hidden gems to find all over the world – maybe even in your neighbourhood.
One way to be a modern-day treasure hunter is to take up Geocaching. There are over 3 million active geocaches across the globe, and finding them is easier than you might think. You simply need to download the Geocaching app. You’ll then see a map of all the caches near you, and you can use that as your guide to finding them. While some caches are fairly exposed, others can take some work to find. That’s why it’s a good idea to take some equipment with you, including:
- A flashlight and spare batteries
- A camera
- Utility tools
- Your phone
- A “grabbing” device for hard-to-reach caches
You can also spend more time outdoors and find hidden treasures by using a metal detector. By heading to your local beaches or parks with a metal detector, you could discover everything from coins to jewellery. Metal detecting allows you to spend hours walking with a goal and/or destination in mind. You never know what you mind dig up!
Play Like a Kid Again
If hunting for treasure seems like a childish activity to you, you may want to start questioning the reasoning behind this disdain. If you have children, watch them for a while the next time they’re playing outside. Chances are, you’ll see them running around freely, using their imagination, interacting with others, and letting go of every worry and care for that particular moment.
As an adult, you probably can’t remember the last time you did something like that – but why not?
Studies have shown that adults can benefit from playing just as much as children. It can help with things like:
- Social well-being
- Connection
- Focus
- Mental health
- Physical health
So, don’t be afraid to let your guard down and play with your kids the next time they’re running around outside. Or instead, take the initiative yourself to engage in active play. Join a pickup basketball game or start a baseball team with friends.
Playing outside can help you bring self-awareness as an adult, and it can even give your immune system a boost. Granted, you should still take precautions. If you have things like allergies and vision issues, you can manage them by limiting your time in certain environments, washing your hands, and taking care of your contacts. As long as you keep your health in mind though and know your limits, you can find a serious spark in your life simply by letting yourself be a kid again from time to time.
Being outside, in general, can breathe life into your daily routine. Think outside the box, and find any reason you can to spend more time in nature.
