Nowadays, it’s so easy to stay indoors and see the world from our digital screens. We can see scenic landscapes in TV shows, and we can easily interact with people on Instagram. It seems like everything that we need on all levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can be transacted digitally.
From online shopping to connecting with family and friends through different social media platforms, it seems like everything is within reach with just a few clicks and taps on our screens.
Even though the idea of spending most of our time indoors sounds too convenient, there are still many reasons to spend your time outside. One of the most obvious reasons is simply this: it’s good for your health! To help you get started, we listed 5 ways to spend more time outdoors.
1. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset
Morning routines are all the hype these days because everybody wants to keep themselves in a good mood for the rest of the day. The better the mood, the more productive you are! Why not add sunrise watching to your morning routine? Just spend a few minutes outside before sunrise and wait for the sun to shine. Try this with a bit of your morning meditation or a warm cup of coffee. You can snap photos of the pretty view before you if you want, but we suggest that you just savor the moment in all its rawness.
Do the same thing at night when you are about to wrap up your day. Whether you’re a morning or night person, watching the sunset is an excellent way to end your day and start the night.
Discover peace and solace in the simplest of things for just a few minutes, and you might find yourself more energized and motivated.
2. Try Nature Photography
Now that you’ve appreciated the sunrise and the sunset, isn’t it more fun to see more of what nature has to offer? Try nature photography!
You don’t need any fancy equipment just to make this work because your trusty smartphone can already do the job. You don’t need to wait for a perfect time too, because nature never leaves! Snapping photos of frozen leaves on a winter’s day is just as beautiful as photos of flowers in full bloom during spring or summer. Not only can you exercise your creativity with nature photography, but you will also have more appreciation of life outdoors. Plus, you can also post these photos on Instagram or Facebook to encourage your followers and friends to go out more and appreciate nature too.
3. Bring Your Workout Outside
We get you. Sometimes, we are more comfortable about working out indoors because we are in our most vulnerable selves. But why not take your workout in places outdoors where you don’t feel very exposed? This can be as simple as your balcony or your backyard. If you want it to be safer and quieter, pick hours in your day where the world is still serene.
Besides going to the gym for your daily lifts, you can try taking your cardio exercise to the park. Not only will you enjoy the beauty of nature, but you’ll also be able to meet fellow joggers and fitness enthusiasts.
Try before or during sunrise and or sunset. You’ll love the transition from night to day and day to night! Plus, what are those cute workout outfits for if you are only going to wear them indoors?
4. Bike Your Way to Work
There’s no denying that biking is fun and can be enjoyable when done recreationally. You’ll be passing by pretty scenery, and you’ll even briefly interact with your neighbors if you pass by them. But what about biking as a mode of transportation to work?
There is a common misconception about cycling for transport. Some people will say that it makes you all sweaty and smelly before even starting a workday, but this is not entirely true! If you are riding a regular bike, there is a bigger chance of this happening to you. But we are not talking about riding traditional bikes here. We’re talking about riding electric bikes!
People are sweating hard when they are biking to work because all the effort and energy needed to keep the bike moving is solely coming from them. They don’t have a choice but to pedal faster to get to work on time. But with e-bikes, you are in complete control of your energies and the speed of your travel. You’re no longer a one-person team because you’ll have help from the e-bike motor. It’s like having all the benefits of riding a regular bike minus the sweat, the smell, and all the hassle.
Electric bikes might sound new to you, but they are becoming more and more popular by the day. They offer the same convenience of having a dependable transport mode but in a very environmentally friendly way. And with all the types of electric bikes has been emerged today, you can surely find the best e-bike for you.
5. Go Al Fresco dining
We all love to eat. So the next time you eat out with your family, friends, or your significant other – try eating “out” by choosing Al Fresco dining. Sure, proper air conditioning can typically make the environment in the restaurant more conveniently controlled – but trying Al Fresco dining will expose you to fresher air and some fun people-watching. Do you ever wonder why Europeans love to eat outside? It’s because they like enjoying their good food with fresh air and sunshine.
It might seem unfamiliar at first, but you will eventually get used to it. Who knows? You might even observe things outside you will never see when you are dining indoors.
Spending more time outdoors can sometimes feel challenging, given how convenient it is to stay at home. Staying outdoors does not equate to hassle and inconveniences. Instead, it must be seen as a necessity to take better care of our bodies and minds.
The best things in life are the memories that you would want to revisit time and time. You can have these memories outside! So what are you waiting for? Head out of that door and see what the world has to offer for you today.
