It is all too common in this modern world to feel the adverse effects of excessive time spent inside. Some of us cannot help the requirements that pull us indoors, and external factors like shorter winter days or office spaces play a role, but many of us have passively created habits and lifestyles that revolve around indoor activities. This post is about maximizing every routine, priority, and hobby in our control. If you haven’t read my blog post on the consequences of being indoors, you can check it out here. If you’re already inspired to spend more time outside, let’s get into the tips.

11 Ways to Spend More Time Outside.

1. Eat your meals outside.

Start by taking your morning coffee or drink outside. Don’t bring your phone. Take this time to exist uninterrupted by the built world. If you have an outdoor space where you live, create a place where you can eat your meals if you don’t already. Do your cooking inside, then eat your meals outside, again uninterrupted. See how this changes not only the way you feel during mealtime but also how the extra time outside improves your day. If you eat lunch at work, find an outdoor space you can rely on every day. Getting some sunlight in your eyes in the morning helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which will also result in increased energy throughout the day.

2. Take breaks outside.

When I worked in an office, I prioritized outdoor time every day. When I hit a focus rut, I would go for a walk around the block. We had benches outside of our building where I would eat my lunch in the sun every day. When I had a longer business call to make, I turned it into a walk. The prioritizing of outdoor time is what got me outdoors, it didn’t happen magically. Any effects of chronic time indoors from an office job weren’t as strong for me and I left work feeling light and ready for my afternoon rather than defeated.

When I was a student, I broke every study session up with fresh air. I went to Michigan, so using the “cold weather” card as an excuse to stay inside is not going to work here. Put on a jacket, and go outside. Even when it was below freezing outside, I took my study breaks in the fresh air. Sometimes, the biting cold from the Michigan winter air was exactly the kind of wake-up my brain needed.

3. Exercise outside.

Ditch the gym and get outside. I’m not saying not to move your body; if anything, it’s the opposite. Seek movement in all aspects of your life, and do it outside! If you live in a place with enjoyable weather year-round, consider yourself blessed. It took less than the 4.5 years it took to earn my degree in the Midwest to discover a newfound appreciation for the weather back home in California. Finding ways to move your body and spend time outside in ways you enjoy will change your life. Especially if you work a job indoors, movement is a perfect activity to take to the outdoors.

Not everyone can make a career change, but if you’re a student looking for a summer job or someone entering a self-exploration chapter, I highly recommend looking at jobs outdoors. When you’re working on your feet and moving all day, you’re getting exposed to two of the best things in a healthy lifestyle. Working as a surf instructor for me was definitely physically taxing and sometimes mentally exhausting, but I was healthy and happy, so the benefits definitely paid off.

4. Change up your movement.

My favorite ways to move outside are surfing, running, skateboarding, hiking, walking, yoga, and at-home workouts on the lawn. If you need to get a lift in, see if bringing free weights to an outdoor space with the sun beating down on you beats the sweat you get in the gym. The right way to move your body is the way that makes you feel good and, hopefully, one you enjoy not only after it’s over but also while you’re moving.

If you’re a woman, sync your movement with your cycle. Cycle syncing your workouts helps balance your hormones, but can also leave you feeling better than the alternative. Go for a walk one day, do an outdoor workout class the next, surf if you live by the ocean, rent a bike, try rollerblading, swim in a local body of water or an outdoor pool, or do a YouTube workout on your lawn or in a park. If it’s raining, do yoga in the rain; if it’s snowing, run in the snow. Embrace the elements and reconnect your mind and body with the pace of nature. Humans are meant to feel the seasons, so unless there is a safety advisory for the current weather you’re having, a little humidity is an OK condition to run in. If your weather is just too intense to find a way to move outside, that’s when the gym is a good solution. Global warming is happening, after all.

5. Work outside.

This is a hard one since working outside can hinder focus. If you don’t have a proper focus space set up outside, your time can quickly be ineffective. I felt this deeply in college because I wanted to take advantage of the nice days by studying outside, but that often led to less studying actually happening. At my parents’ house, we have an outdoor table in the shade that is perfect for working. If you work from home or have online work you do from a space of choice, bring that work outside on the nice weather days and see how it makes you feel and how it impacts your focus.

If I’m at my parents’ house, where I do have an outdoor space, I always work outside on nice days because it also allows my dog to spend time outside which is essential for his health. Dogs are meant to be outside more than humans, and simply letting them out for walks or to go to the bathroom is not enough. Dogs crave sun, grass, and nature just as much as we do. Find some new hiking or walking trails that you and your dog can do together on your breaks or after work as you start to bring your movement outdoors as found in the previous tips.

6. Fresh air in the morning.

I used to go for a walk right when I woke up. Even in the middle of the Michigan winters, I walked. If it’s snowing, put on your coat and boots. If you live in an apartment building, it may be harder to get outside, but that makes it more crucial than any other living situation. Whatever your current housing accommodation is, make it a priority to get outside within the first few minutes of your day. This is a ritual that will change your life. If you’re interested in learning more about my morning habits, you can read the blog post here.

Now, my morning walk has turned into a morning yoga flow, but movement in some fresh air does the same trick. If I’m in a space with a lawn, I do my yoga on the grass to get some grounding. If I’m somewhere without grass, I will use my mat or whatever I have. Doing some kind of movement in the fresh air in the morning is what your body craves. Give it a try.

7. Commute by walking or biking.

The unfortunate reality for many of us is that we don’t live in walkable cities. However, there may be things we can walk to that we are overlooking with our overreliance on cars. Rethink your commute to work, errands, and your social events and see if any are within walking distance. If you’re in college, take advantage of your walkable community! The thing I miss most about my college town was being able to walk everywhere I went. If you live in a city, combine public transportation with your walks to get to your destination. Your health and the planet will thank you for adding more walking to your commutes.

If you have a bike, ride it! Biking is such a fun way to get from point A to point B. Why don’t we do it as often. My town is pretty hilly, but that’s where e-bikes are a great tool. If a bike or an e-bike is within your purchasing budget, you should definitely consider one. I also love to skateboard around town, and would skate to class back in college if I was running late. However, I am typing this with a skating injury. When cycling, skating, or doing anything on wheels, make sure to wear a helmet and pads!

8. Park far away.

If you’re in the habit of trying to park as close as you can when you get to your destination, try the opposite. Park when you’re a block or two from where you’re trying to go. You may even find a spot faster and you won’t deal with the stress that comes with fighting for a perfect spot, which are bonuses. Cruise into a spot within walking distance and enjoy an unplugged mini-commute to your destination. Don’t go on your phone or put in earbuds while walking, just walk. Let your mind, ears, and eyes wander to wherever they want to go. Finding little ways like this to spend time outside may change your life.

9. Go camping.

There’s no better way to reconnect with nature than to immerse yourself in it fully. If you’re new to camping, book a cabin somewhere and try “glamping.” If you’re overdue for a camping trip, I know I am; grab a friend and book a campsite somewhere close to home for a night or a weekend. Camping is like a catalyst for feeling good and inspired again. Check out this site to get a camping trip underway!

10. Ditch the screens.

If your main hobby is your phone, it’s time to change the narrative. Ask yourself what you are seeing on your phone that you actually want to be doing. Then go do it. If you’re on your phone or listening to music while you’re outside, stop doing that and see how you feel. Spending more time outside is one thing, but intentional time outside is where the magic really happens.

11. Shop at farmers’ markets.

What better way to kill two birds with one stone than to buy more local nutrient-dense produce while breathing in the fresh local air! I may be one of farmers’ markets biggest fans, but it’s for a good reason – they are the bomb. I live in California, where there is a nearby farmers market almost every day, so I can treat going to the farmers market like going to the grocery store. There are so many health benefits to eating organic and locally grown produce since our food system is all kinds of broken and corrupt, so since it is in my power to shop at farmers’ markets, I do so as often as possible. About 90% of my groceries come from local farmers, and I feel so grateful to support small businesses while fueling my body with the best foods I can. See when your local farmers’ markets are happening, and add one to your calendar; bring your grocery list and keep an eye open for exciting seasonal produce options to add to your meals. Check out my Instagram post on farmers’ markets for more info and inspo. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bags!

If you have any other suggestions on bringing your life outside, drop them in the comments! I am constantly finding fun new ways to spend time outside.

Thanks for reading!