How to Benefit from the Outdoors Every Day

To get the most benefits, try spending some time in nature every single day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Here are some ideas for bringing nature into your life.

1. Include Getting Outside into Your Morning Routine

• Whether it's a morning run first thing, your coffee on the patio, walking your dog or your child to school, or modifying your morning commute, there are many ways to get that healthy dose of vitamin N (nature) in the AM. If you drive to work, consider walking or riding your bike (even bussing means more time outside). Aside from the health and wellness benefits, your wallet and the environment will thank you for it!
• Feeling sluggish mid-afternoon or post dinner? A walk outside will surely boost your energy and mood (and increase focus, creativity, sleep quality…)

2. Get Outside on Your Lunch Break

• Take your lunch to a park bench, spend 10-15 minutes walking outside, or get out on the patio or rooftop if that is your only option

3. Walk Your Dog(s) Daily

• You may not own dogs but myself and many do and in my experience dogs need to get outside! They behave better and have less health problems the more active they are. If this isn't a significant example of how important outdoor time is for all walks of life, I don't know what is.  Like a dog, your health will benefit from some outdoor walking - DAILY.

4. Do It with a Buddy

• Find someone who wants to spend more time outdoors or is already doing it regularly and make plans together. You might even find some new friends on the trail ;)

5. Try Out Some Winter Sports

• Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding…
• Outdoor therapy is definitely easier when the weather is fair but it doesn't mean you should neglect nature 6 months of the year (more or less depending where you live). Try something new or pick up an old activity - you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!

6. Prioritize the Activities into Your Schedule

• It's one thing to come up with a ton of great ideas for new healthy activities to implement into your already busy schedule, but it's another to actually fit them in and do them regularly. Recognize the importance of these activities and put them above other things in your schedule that you aren’t benefiting from. This takes a lot of conscious effort and thought. You can do it ;)

7. Bring the Outdoors in

• If all else fails (or if you are looking for more ways to reap the benefits of nature) turn your surroundings into a natural oasis that stimulates the same effects you get from spending time outdoors. Draw the blinds to receive more natural light, open up the windows for more fresh air, grow more indoor plants, put up pictures of beautiful scenery (this can also be motivating to get outdoors) and use earthy tones in your indoor space like greens, browns, and blues.