Here Are 4 Tips for Getting Outdoors This Summer

Whether you live in a big city, the suburbs, or a rural area, you may find that your busy lifestyle makes it challenging to spend as much time outdoors as you’d like. If you live in a particularly large city or farther from parks and natural settings, it can be much trickier to get as much sunshine and fresh air as you’d like.

Going outside offers many benefits, from physical to mental and emotional. Though certain people prefer the indoors and the big city, everyone can enjoy at least some of the advantages of spending time outside. You don't have to be a hardcore outdoors person to get Vitamin D.

With the tips in this guide, you’ll get fun ideas, tips, and inspiration to help you spend more time outdoors this summer and reap the benefits of it.

A Note About Safety

Before heading outdoors and following the tips in this guide, it’s worthwhile to think about safety. Summertime is excellent for exploring, but if you're not careful, you could end up suffering dehydration, heat stroke, and other health issues.

If you spend any time in the heat outside, make sure you check the temperatures and plan.

accordingly. Bringing enough water and other liquids is critical; you should also carry sunscreen. For more safety tips, check out this article from the Mayo Clinic.

Tip 1: Check Out a New Sport

While many people have played sports as kids or teenagers, it can be harder to do so as an adult. However, you’ll find many community options for engaging in sports, and it’s a golden opportunity to get a group of friends together.

Even if you don’t regard yourself as an athlete, there’s probably some kind of sport activity out there that you’d enjoy and involves going outdoors. There are many outdoor sports that people don’t even think of, such as rowing, frisbee, and pickleball.

If you’re getting into a sport you haven't played before, you can likely find a group or coach to assist you. This may get you outside more so you can get more appropriate physical activity.

Tip 2: Head to the Water

Want to spend more time outdoors this summer but hate the heat? Getting around and into a body of water is the way to go.

Whether you live near the ocean or in a landlocked state, you should be able to find places where you can cool down. Some examples of outdoor water activities you might try including:

Going to a community swimming pool
Relaxing with a picnic near a pond
Heading to a lake to enjoy swimming, paddle boarding, etc.
Taking a river rafting course or going kayaking
Putting your feet in the ocean

When you spend time on, in, or near the water, you’ll be less likely to get overheated and probably enjoy your outdoor time quite a bit more.

Tip 3: Check Out Local Events

Most communities host summertime activities that are free or affordable. Whether you live in a big city or a small town, it's worth checking out what’s on the agenda. From outdoor concerts to farmers markets, you can get outside more often and support your community.

Tip 4: Learn More About Nature

There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors. From strolling around a local park to tackling a strenuous hike, go find what works best for you. If you love to learn about or appreciate animals, going outside is an excellent way to learn more about the natural world.

You can also make this into an intellectual pursuit. For example, many people love bird watching, while others like to learn about the various species of plants that are native to their region.

You can record your findings in photographs, writing, and even ethically collect bits of nature such as discarded bird feathers.