I get asked all the time how I manage to get outside so much (especially when I worked a 9-5 job) and I always have to pause and think about whether to give the short answer or the long answer. I often opt for the short answer of “I just really like being out in nature so I make time for it.” I always hope that this answer doesn’t come across as condescending, but it is the truth and I’m sure the inquisitor wouldn’t want to sit through the essay worth of words I’m about to write when they’re just a casual friend looking for small talk at a pool party. While the response I typically give is correct because yes, ultimately I do love being outside so I do make time for it, the full answer is a lot more complicated. 

Often what I hear from people who want to get out more is something along the lines of “I don’t know where to go” or “I work 5 days a week and on my days off I want to rest, not drive far to go to a state park”. While these are valid reasons, they are not excuses if it’s something you really want to do. There are many MANY ways to enjoy nature without the level of commitment people tend to think an adventure outdoors needs.

So if you’re one of the ones who enjoys being out in nature and you feel better after you’ve been outside but lack the knowledge of where to go or motivation to do so, then you’re in luck because I’ve compiled a list of useful tips that will help you see how achievable it is to have a healthy dose of Earth’s chicken noodle soup for the soul whenever you’d like!

Explore Google Maps for locations

My favorite way to find new places is by exploring Google Maps. The parks and nature designated areas are green so are easy to locate. Once you locate green in your area you can zoom in and click on the name and easily explore details, reviews, hours, and photos. It’s like a fun scavenger hunt! You’ll be surprised at how much is around you! Google Maps also allows you to create lists to save locations. I have a few lists including one for fishing, star gazing, and hiking in which I add locations I’ve either been to and like, or are places I want to check out at some point. Once you have a list it’s so much easier to just open that and scroll through all the locations you’ve saved in order to pick the one you want to explore today.

Alternatively you can download an app like All Trails that uses your location to find trails of all varieties (including paved trails and scenic walks). Along with useful information such as current closures or if dogs are allowed, these apps have reviews you can read through to decide whether it’s right for you. 

Parks, Nature Preserves, and Wildlife Management Areas

A lot of people like to think that national parks, state parks, and city parks are all that’s out there but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Depending on where you live you may be surprised to find unincorporated BLM land while in other areas you could be right next to a Wildlife Management Area or State Forest and not even know. All of these areas are typically free or ask for a small cash donation by way of honor system in order to keep the grounds maintained. A lot of them don’t even have a gate so you can go stargazing as well. If you’re closer to a city you may have nature preserves, city parks, and county parks that can offer much more in the way of walking paths and secluded sitting areas then you’d think if you’re just casually driving past them. We often hear about the big parks and don’t want to drive out that far or you feel like you have to spend a whole day there due to admission cost or hours of operation, but a quick look around you on Google Maps or All Trails will surely reveal some secret gems that offer a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle that your soul has so desperately been craving.

In suburbia there are commonly found mandated zones called Nature Preserves that are owned by federal, state, or local agencies with the purpose of protecting the area from over-building. Depending on where you live (common in Florida) these are prevalent and are quite unassuming unless you know what you’re looking at. Most of these preserves have walkways or picnic tables and the best part is that they typically don’t see a lot of foot traffic due to people not realizing they exist or that you can even access them. That means many times it could be just you, the forest, and the bird song.

Wildlife Management areas are a favorite of mine due to having no gate, no entrance fee, and most offer free camping (called boondocking). Wildlife Management Areas, WMAs for short, are lands managed to protect fish and wildlife resources while providing wildlife-based recreation such as fishing, hunting, and bird watching. WMAs are more rugged than parks and have fewer developed areas and facilities then a state or federal park but still include primitive camping opportunities. WMAs are typically pretty large in size and don’t see near as much foot traffic as other parks so you have a higher chance of seeing wild animals opposed to wild humans blasting their music on the trail. This makes WMAs one of the best and easiest places to connect with nature on a more intimate level.

City and county parks can be surprisingly nice and often feature more than just a picnic area and a playground. Near me we have several that include walking trails, docks, and secluded benches to relax in private. Even though they may see a higher amount of traffic, most are designed with the idea in mind that people come to the park to be outside so they make areas away from the common picnic areas for folks to relax on their own away from others. The trail systems may be short but I’ve found surprisingly beautiful nooks near streams and ancient trees where I feel more like I’m in a state park than a city park. I literally found a little private waterfall and a spring head at one near my house!

A little goes a long way

Time outside is time outside regardless of how long you spend out there. You can go out for just an hour or 2 easily especially once you locate some spots by your house. Remember it doesn’t have to be a big park in order to be a big adventure. The trees, water, sky, and animals don’t discriminate against size.

This makes it a totally viable and healthy option for unwinding after a hard day at work. You may think it would be exhausting to get back in your car and drive somewhere just to go outside but trust me, you will be happy you did. Being out in nature helps rejuvenate us in ways that laying around at home could never. You will leave with a fuller sense of accomplishment and ease, ready to take on what tomorrow will bring.

There are times where I’m only out for 45 minutes to catch the sunset or watch an encroaching storm off in the distance. No matter how long I always leave in a better mood and the memory of it easily fuels me through the evening and days to follow. The more you make a habit of getting out the easier it gets to work it into your schedule. You will begin seeing the positive effects immediately, but the long term effects will have you questioning why you never made time for it sooner. 

Something my husband and I love to do is stop at a park on the way home from picking up food and eat it there rather than at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Youtube fueled evening meals as much as anyone, but the times we eat at a park are just so special and fun. It’s a very easy quick way to not only get out in nature, but to detach and switch up your typical routine, and switching your routine will bring a spark of life to an otherwise mundane and memoryless evening.

Time of day matters, season doesn’t

I live in Florida and so many times people ask me how I can deal with the heat and humidity. The answer is that it’s easy and honestly not bad at all. Sure if you spend your life within the confines of concrete walls you may think anything above a temperate room temperature would surely be unbearable, but it’s really not that bad. Florida summers can indeed be brutal when the sun is high in the sky, but this is why I opt to go out in the evening during the dog days. Summer evenings in Florida are actually quite beautiful, especially with a canopy of cypress and live oak providing a cool shaded oasis.

Every season has its good hours to be outside, and it’s bad hours. You just need to get used to looking at the weather forecast and taking brief walks around the neighborhood to test when would be best for you to get out for a bit. Remember that asphalt, concrete sidewalks, and no tree cover will make it seem hotter than it really is so try to go somewhere with a trail and tree canopy, or by water if you live near a lake, river, or beach. 

I’m definitely not doing 9 mile hiking trails in summer, but there are countless other things I will do such as paddling, fishing, a casual nature walk, or just reading at a park. You’d be surprised at how much nicer it gets out once the sun begins its descent. Yes it’s still technically hot, and yes there are bugs, but that’s nature and honestly the good outweighs the bad every time. Think about it like this, when was the last time you honestly felt good after doom scrolling or laying around all night just to have to go to bed and wake up for work feeling like you wasted yet another night? Taking the time to go outdoors more will alleviate that and if you’re like me and go out a few nights a week, it will actually allow you to value the couch locked nights more. 

It’s important to accept discomfort and let go of the voice constantly telling you it’s hot and buggy. If you focus on it it will ruin your experience the same way that focusing only on the bad things in the world will make you depressed and angry. This takes training but is worth it so you can be fully present and enjoy your experience. 

Camping local and beyond

Camping can be an excellent way to get out and spend a night or 2 surrounded by nature. You can easily have a 1 night camping trip without much forethought or planning. There are way more areas that allow camping then you’d think and once again, Google Maps will be your best friend. Just search “camping” and it will show you all results for your surrounding area.

If you live out west, boondocking, aka dispersed camping or free camping, is much easier, but even on the east coast there are several areas such as WMAs and State Forests that allow boondocking. This means you don’t even need to reserve a campsite in advance! When in dire straits there is absolutely nothing wrong with pitching a tent in your backyard either. It sounds silly but trust me, when my husband and I have done this we have a cute and silly time together out there.

If you don't have a tent you can car camp. Car camping is a very easy way to effortlessly go out and spend a night in nature. Just fold the seats down and set up a sleeping pad or air mattress. Just remember to turn your car off as monoxide poisoning can happen even when you’re not in a garage. You can purchase universal fit pull over window screens for your car on Amazon for very cheap so that way you can have your windows cracked.

What to bring

I highly recommend bringing bug spray (in the south bring bug spray for every season), sunscreen, a flashlight, plenty of water, a yummy snack, and a book or journal. While out in nature it’s best to keep your phone down (other than the occasional photo of course). Remember that this is your time, not anyone else’s so it doesn’t need to be shared on social.

Let go of expectations, be present

Don’t set expectations of what you want your experience to be. Go out in nature with no other expectations other than the fact that you’re getting outside. If you expect to see a wild animal or have clear skies for stargazing, then you will feel disappointed and give up on going out more often. Sometimes when I go fishing I don’t catch fish, and sometimes while fossil hunting I don’t find a fossil. I’ve lost track of how many times a clear night of stargazing ended up being cloudy, but those good clear nights I do see ALWAYS make it worth continuing to go back out. 

At the end of the day I always leave feeling happy that I got out regardless of if I come home empty handed. The experience is about being outside, the rest are just added benefits. Some of my favorite memories involve trying to outrun a storm on the beach or hiding in a tent playing Uno until the rain passes. You make your fun no matter what the conditions may be and that is the very thinking that will begin to change your mindset and give you a healthier perspective on life.

I hope that this post has helped give you some ideas on how you can incorporate going outdoors more in your daily life. It requires little effort but comes with countless benefits. So go forth and begin exploring your local areas, fall in love with the slice of Earth you live on instead of yearning for where you don’t. Earth will be there patiently waiting for your arrival.