6 Easy Ways to Make Time to get Outside

With the good weather approaching, check out my list of 6 easy ways to make time to get outside.

If you live somewhere with dark, gray winters, and there’s been too much rain, snow, and cold, you’re probably dying to get outside and enjoy some warmth.

What really sucks is even when the weather’s great, sometimes it’s still a struggle to head outside.

Do you like the idea of spending more time outside, but you don’t think it’s practical. After all, you have indoor chores like housework and cooking to deal with. Do you live in an area you don’t think is attractive or has poor air quality? It’s difficult to come up with good reasons to get outside when you don’t feel safe or comfortable.

Doesn’t it suck that you have to drive or take public transportation just to get yourself in a comfortable, safe setting to get back to nature. But you know, we do what we have to do.

I consider myself lucky because I have a nice covered sundeck, in an area well away from traffic. There’s a pretty yard with plenty of shade trees. I board my horse on a nearby farm and if it’s not raining or snowing, I set up a camp chair, read my book, and sneak glances at my big beautiful baby. There are many parks within a 30 minute drive, heck even the beach is within a half hour drive. I have lots of good places to enjoy nature in a quiet, peaceful setting.

It’s not easy for everyone to make time to get outside.

If you live in an apartment, chances are you have a balcony. Or the building has an outside common area. Can you walk or drive to a nearby park or beach?

When I’m talking about spending time outside, I’m not calling it the same thing as spending time in the sun. I have skin cancer concerns, and promote using sunscreen, and when I go outside I’ll find shade. I don’t usually sit out in the sun unless I’m well covered, but if that’s your preference: slip, slop and slap.

Remember that campaign? Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.

I’ll also add wear sunglasses and stay in the shade to that slip, slop, and slap rule.

Whether you can step outside your door or travel a short distance, here are 6 easy ways to spend more time outside.

1. Read a book

Set up a deck chair or chaise lounge on the balcony or put a blanket on the grass and read a book. If it’s chilly outside, wear a warm jacket or sweater or a throw blanket. I put on gloves with finger cut outs for the times I sit outside in cold weather, so I can easily turn the pages on my Kindle.

2. Work on your computer

Thought that was an inside job, huh? This works best if you have a laptop. Trickier if you have a desktop computer.

Even if it’s just surfing the net. Everyone has wireless these days. Move outside. I have a porch swing on my sundeck and that’s my favourite spot to work on my laptop.

3. Have a meal

Eat at least a couple of meals a week outside. Picnic in your back yard or nearby park. Or even on your balcony. If you work, is there an outside picnic table set up? Many restaurants have outside seating areas, even fast food places.

4. Walk your dog

Or walk someone else’s dog. You can probably find a dog shelter looking for dog walker volunteers. Most dogs love walkies. Don’t send your dog into the backyard to take care of business. Walk around town and check out what’s going on.

5. Take up photography

When it comes to lighting, the best photo ops are outside. Go for a nature walk and snap pictures of small wildlife and plants. Head to a sporting event and catch the the action.

The camera I mostly use is a Canon Rebel t6s. I noticed a similar Rebel t6 on Amazon at a great price that includes two lenses and a bunch of other accessories. This is a better price than what I paid! And all I got was two lenses, not all these extras. (Disclosure: I’m an Amazon associate. If you click the link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a commission for the referral.)

6. Ride your bike

Come on, you know you have a bike stashed at the back of your garage or in your shed gathering dust. If not, may cities have bike rental places or check out Craigslist to find a used bike. A bike was probably the first exercise machine you owned, and even if you haven’t ridden one in years, it’s true – you never forget how to ride a bike. Exercise and fresh air – perfect! Hop on board and remember how fun it used to be riding a bike when you were a kid. Well, that’s still true now that you’re an adult. How fast can you go? Wheee!

How do you find time to get outside? Drop a note in the comments!

P.S. If you’re interested in that book I was reading, Murder Packs a Suitcase, it’s a fun cozy mystery written by Cynthia Baxter that takes place in Florida. It’s part of a short lived series that the publisher axed.

More reading:

If you have a horse, you can’t help but spend time outside!