Time to Go Outside
We all spend too much time inside and right now we have plenty of excuses as to why. Between bad weather and iconic movements in digital media, it is easy to come up with a reason to huddle up in our homes. Even though binge watching Game of Thrones or Marvel movies is always a lot of fun we must remember that we need to spend some time outside. Below you will see some simple activities to help get us off the couch and outside to get things done and to get some much needed fresh air.
Landscape Work
For many of us mowing the lawn is a boring and unpleasant chore that we must get done; however, we must also remember there is a lot more to your homes curb appeal then just the grass. The early spring season is the best time to think about a landscape upgrade. This can be as simple as putting out a few planter boxes or as complicated as preparing to grow a full vegetable garden. The wonderful thing about landscape work is there are many options to choose from at various levels of commitment. It is important to note it is a little early to start planting perennials, but it is the perfect time to start planning. Start to think about what you want to do differently this year and even make an early trip to a garden center to get some ideas. Gardening is a great hobby but it does require some thought to do it properly. So this weekend spend an hour or two outside walking your property and deciding what you want to do. From there you can go online or to a garden center to figure out the cost of all your plans. This will allow you to decide what you want to actually do , determine how much it will cost, and set aside the appropriate time to get everything done.
Local Parks
When was the last time you went for a walk in the park? When was the last time you went to the park for any reason? Now that the weather as improved it is a great time to go and check it out. Most cities and states have designated recreation areas. These can be large woodland areas with trails for hiking, jogging, or biking or these can be as simple as small playgrounds for children. Local and National parks attract millions of people annually for a reason; if you have not been to one in a while it is time to go find out why. Parks allow us to remove ourselves from the busy world and to take a calming reprieve from society. They are typically well cared for odds are there is one close to your house or place of work. So instead of running around like crazy one afternoon take a break, go to a local park and take in the smells and sights of spring.
Outside Exercise
We have finally hit the point of the year when we can give our treadmills a break. Many people take fitness very seriously and run on treadmills all winter long. This tends to get real boring, running and not actually going anywhere. With the onset of spring we can finally change this. It is time to hang us the indoor shoes and break out the running tights. A great way to get more fresh air and more sunlight is to transition our workouts outside. This does not have to be limited to running either. Many parks have built in stations for exercising outdoors. These areas provide pull up bars and mush up handles and provide the challenge to traveling to each station. In addition, you can mix up your routine by adding in some cycling as well. Furthermore, if you search enough you are likely to find outdoor group fitness events to attend. Many local communities host competitions and charity events on a regular basis and participating in them helps keep you fit and helps get you outside. Finally it is okay to still run inside sometimes. No one wants to be out in the rain, but remember to seize the moment. If you are able to transition your exercise outside, do it while you can.
Fishing and Water Sports
Many of us put our water sports on hold during the winter but the weather is finally nice enough to start getting ready for the season. Now is a great time of year to find the fishing pole and go out to the local lake. It is warm enough that the fish should be swimming and biting, making the likelihood of a catch to increase. Boating should also start making a huge comeback over the next few weeks. The warmer weather provides us with the opportunity to service our boats and other water craft in preparation of summer. It is time to dig the kayak out of the garage and give it a good cleaning. This way when it is finally perfect conditions to go out you are ready. By preparing your equipment now you save valuable days during the prime season. Yes, it might be a bit cold to actually take your boat out but preparing now will ensure you have the more time on the open water when the conditions are ideal.
Winter is a tough time for many of us. Cold weather keeps us inside and we spend a lot more of our time in darkness. Now that spring has arrived the days get longer and the temperature increases. Do not spend too much of this time inside because one thing is guaranteed; Winter will return.