Spring Has Sprung, Time to Get Outside

If you’re one of the nearly 20% of the adult population that experiences at least mild weather-related mood changes, then you’re probably anticipating the arrival of spring. The changing season means warmer weather and longer days, giving you plenty of reasons to engage in outside activities. 

Being outdoors is essential to our mental and physical well-being, and the warm spring weather makes it easier to do the things we enjoy. Better weather also tends to bring people closer together, allowing us to spend more time with friends and family. 

Our guide to getting outside this spring will give you the top ideas for fun things to do outside this new season.

10 Ways to Get Outside and Enjoy the Spring Weather

Spring is in full swing which means it’s time to enjoy the warm weather with outdoor activities. It’s also an opportunity to finally do the things you couldn’t during winter or try new activities you wouldn't normally do.

Here are 10 ideas for making the most of this transition season and putting more spring in your step.

1. Have Your Morning Coffee Outside

Whether you read, journal or plan your day in the morning, take your morning routine outside. Sit on your deck or near an open window and let the hope of springtime fill you with inspiration. Grab a blanket, wear your slippers and warm yourself up with a fresh cup of coffee as you relax in the crisp spring air.

With songbirds returning and buds awakening on trees, there’s so much to enjoy about an early spring morning. Breathe in the freshness as you practice a morning meditation or simply listen to the sounds of nature. 

2. Exercise Outdoors

Whether you normally hit the treadmill or lift weights at the gym, consider an outdoor workout routine. With the weather warming up, now is the perfect time to incorporate spending time in nature with some of your existing habits, like exercise.

Exercising in nature has numerous added benefits beyond physical activity. Research shows that it helps boost our motivation to exercise and increases our enjoyment of working out. According to one study, compared to people who exercised indoors, those who worked out in nature were more likely to stick to their training plan long-term.

Outdoor workouts are also a great way to shake off any remaining winter blues. People report feeling more energized after working out outside, with research showing that even five minutes of exercising outside results in increased self-esteem.

3. Bike to Work

As the weather starts warming up, many people look for ways to soak up spring and make the most of the better weather. One way to spend more time outside in the spring is to bike to work. Converting your commute from car to bicycle is not only a way to spend more time outdoors, but it’s also a way to increase your physical activity levels.

If you’re working from home and you’re no longer commuting, try biking to the gym or the mall or whenever you meet someone for coffee. Find ways to incorporate bike rides into your regular routines so that you can experience more spring weather.

4. Discover a New Trail

Take advantage of longer days and warmer weather by discovering new trails near you after work and on the weekends. Get in touch with your adventurous side and head to new spots you’ve yet to explore. Research trails with attractive features like waterfalls, hot springs, forests or caves. Or see if you can find a hidden gem with a jaw-dropping view.

Check out community favorites on Google reviews or All Trails to find trails that meet your preferred level of difficulty. Be sure to wear the right footwear and dress in layers so you can stay comfortable. Bring along plenty of water and some delicious snacks to make the most of your adventure.

5. Take an Evening Stroll

When you don’t have time to explore new trails, try taking evening walks with your partner or a neighbor after dinner. Walk around the block or to a nearby park, enjoying the freshness of the evening spring breeze. See if you can time your stroll so you can catch the sunset from a scenic point.

Walking after meals is a great way to help with digestion, which may also improve your sleep. Plus, going for a walk at night gives you time to connect with your partner or family, helping to boost your mood and unwind before bed.

6. Lounge at the Beach

Even if it’s not quite summer weather in your region, you can still enjoy some time at the beach. Whether you live near the coast or you have local lakes and rivers at your disposal, plan a relaxing beach day with friends and family or just on your own.

Pack yourself a folding lounge chair or beach mat, a blanket to keep warm from the wind and a magazine or book to read. Download your favorite podcast or album to listen to as you close your eyes and let your mind fully relax. If you’ve got kids in tow, be sure to bring some shovels and pails to build sandcastles.

7. Pack a Park Picnic

A park picnic is one of the classic relaxing outdoor activities to do in warm weather. Schedule a sunny afternoon for an outdoor luncheon with family and friends at your favorite local park. Turn it into a spring celebration—a time to get together and enjoy the new season, saying goodbye to the colder weather.

Prepare some healthy and tasty dishes and drinks and bring some games or activities. Pack all the supplies you’ll need, including plates, utensils, napkins and cups. For late afternoon picnics that drag into the night, bring along some lanterns or string lights for some evening ambiance. 

Learn how to do outdoor dining right with this ultimate guide to picnicking.

8. Find a Farmer’s Market

Shop for local produce and homemade goods at a weekend farmer's market. Whether you’ve got a favorite market you like, or you want to tour a few different ones, visiting a farmer’s market is a great way to welcome the warmer weather into your life and spend more time outdoors.

At farmer's markets, you’ll not only find locally grown, seasonal produce, but you’ll also discover products you didn’t know you needed. From arts and crafts to household goods, farmer's markets often carry more than your weekly groceries. They’re also the perfect way to connect with others in your community and foster better social well-being.

Visit American Farmland Trust to find a local farmer’s market near you.

9. Plant a Garden

Why buy plants and produce when you can grow your own? Spring is planting season, offering the perfect weather window for sun-loving bulbs like daffodils, tulips and fragrant hyacinth. If you’ve got the right sun pattern at home, consider growing some fruit or vegetable plants, such as lettuce and greens, tomato plants or strawberry rhubarb.

Start by cleaning your outdoor space of leaves and dirt that have collected over the winter. Pick up a few supplies, like planters, soil, fertilizer and some gardening gloves. Even if you’ve only got a small balcony space, there are still lots of simple home gardening options, like garden starter kits. You can even find space-saving solutions for indoor growing, like the popular AeroGarden for countertop herbs.

10. Play Like a Kid

If the first signs of spring tend to make you feel youthful, why not take some time to play like a kid? Local parks are the perfect places to enjoy the outdoors and give yourself the space for your favorite childhood activities for these spring outdoor activities

Some ideas for playing like a kid include:

• Kite flying
• Hopscotch
• Sidewalk chalk
• Jump rope

If you’re looking for low-maintenance or spontaneous ways to play like a kid, head to a playground and spend some time on the swings. Even a few minutes of defying gravity is enough to give you an instant mood booster—a thrilling way to usher in spring.

Get Active This Spring With Relax The Back

Start your spring season with a new exercise and recovery routine that will get you to optimal levels of health and well-being. Whether you want to spend more time exercising outdoors or relaxing on your deck after a tough workout, Relax The Back has the physical therapy and relaxation solutions to have you feeling your best.

Shop our collection of handheld massagers and fitness and therapy products. Relieve sore muscles with the Hypervolt 2 Massager or boost mobility with the CoreStretch to help release tight tissues.

Shop our entire online store today or visit a Relax The Back retail location near you. 

Sources:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651 
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25423324/ 
3. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es903183r 
4. https://www.alltrails.com/ 
5. https://greatist.com/eat/best-picnic-guide-how-to-pack-the-perfect-picnic 
6. https://markets.farmland.org/ 
7. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/best-garden-starter-kits 
8. https://www.aerogarden.com/