Self Improvement

5 Ways to Get Outside More

posted on September 21, 2018 | by Amanda Holstein

5 Ways to Get Outside More

How often do you actually get outside during the week? If you work a normal 9-5 desk job, my guess is not much! I totally get it can be hard to find time to get outside, but when I tell you it’s worth it, believe me, it is!! A few months ago, I was feeling a bit low. I was unmotivated, lacking energy, just felt uninspired. I realized I was barely getting outside, so I decided to see if it would make any sort of difference.

And let me tell you, it truly did! I had no idea how much simply being outside affected my mood & energy. Nature (or even just good old city streets) seems to resent my mind, give me life, and energize me unlike anything else. Yes, some of that is getting my body moving, but it’s also the sun, the fresh air, and the fact that our bodies are meant to be in nature.

Now, it’s one thing to say getting outside is important, but it’s another to figure out how that actually works in your day-to-day life. So, if you’re feeling like your days are missing something and you need a little boost of energy, here are a few ways to bring nature back into your life:

1. Make it a priority.

First things first. You need to consciously decide that this is now a priority for you. That means truly wanting to get outside more — even if you don’t believe it works, it’s more about at least genuinely having the desire to try it. Once it becomes important to you, it’s much easier to make it part of your routine.

2. Try a morning walk.

If you’re anything like me, then mornings are the absolute worst. You wake up just wanting to go back to bed. Your brain is foggy and can’t even function. Because of this, I decided to try something new. Right when I wake up, before anything else, I just put on my Merrell sneakers and head outside. I don’t wash my face first or get a coffee. I don’t even think — I just make it an automatic routine to head outdoors first thing in the morning. I have these great sneakers I can wear on a regular walk, on a hike, or even with jeans so that I can literally just throw them on and go. They’re Merrell’s Trail Glove 4 Knit shoes from Zappos — so comfortable!! And man does it help wake me up! It puts me in such a great state of mind for the rest of the day!

3. Drink your morning coffee outside.

Whether you have a yard, a balcony, or just the city streets, there’s no reason you can’t drink your morning coffee outdoors. No yard or balcony? Sit on a stoop outside or walk to the nearest coffee shop just to make yourself get out of the apartment! It’s a great way to get some Vitamin D first thing in the morning, breathe in some fresh air, and get yourself in a relaxed state of mind before your day begins!

4. Take your meetings outside.

If you work in an office, it can be hard to find time to sneak out and get some sunshine. One way to work around this is to take your meetings outdoors. If you have a one-on-one with someone and you don’t necessarily need to sit behind your computer to be productive, go for a walk together instead. You’ll be amazed at how much clearer you’re able to think!

5. Take your midday breaks outdoors.

We all love the excuse of going to grab a cup of coffee during the workday. And it’s definitely a great way to get outside. But if you’re just looking for an excuse to take a break, guess what? You don’t need an excuse! Just take the break! Get out of that office and go outside, without any intention of going anywhere. It feels so good and it will totally energize you for the rest of the day!

Thank you to Zappos & Merrell for sponsoring this post.