Find Wellness in the Outdoors

Spending time outdoors can improve overall health and wellness. The outdoors offers many opportunities to be physically active. Time outdoors may also promote mental health and stress reduction. You can joy nature from the window, in your home, backyard, and neighborhood. Or find a state park near you and discover more ways to enjoy our parks and trails online. 

Learn more about how Healthy Parks Healthy People is tapping into the healing power of nature.

Listed below are suggestions for how to get a healthy dose of nature—wherever you are.

Get in touch with nature

Get in touch with nature

  • Do you know what time the sun rises and sets?
  • Enjoy a view of nature from your window, your porch, or balcony.
  • Enjoy a five-minute break in front of the window.
Look for signs of nature around you

Look for signs of nature around you

  • Participate in a bird watch from your own backyard.
  • How many different birds you can see?
  • How many different bird calls you can hear?
  • Can you see any birds making nests?
  • Can see any birds with worms in their beaks?
  • Can you find any signs of spring in the plants around you?
  • How many different blooms can you see?
  • How many trees or shrubs are coming into leaf?
  • How many people can you count walking outside?
  • How accurately can you guess the outside temperature, the wind speed, and the humidity?
  • Watch the clouds go by.
Spend time in nature while social distancing

Spend time in nature while social distancing

  • Take a walk, run, or bike ride outside.
  • Take your dog for a walk.
  • Go fishing.
  • If you have a backyard, have a picnic outside
  • Read a book or magazine for half an hour outside.
  • Try a neighborhood workout on your driveways like Zumba.
  • Make a video call to a friend or loved one while outdoors and share the view.
  • Draw a hopscotch board on your sidewalk for passersby.
  • Put a hammock or tree swing in your yard.
  • Set up a tent in your backyard, deck, or balcony.
  • Have a bonfire.
  • Start your own garden (plant seeds).
  • Hang nest-making materials from your balcony, porch or a tree branch for birds to find.
Nature in the Workspace

Nature in the Workspace

  • Take your lunch break by the window or outdoors.
  • Include houseplants in your workspace.
  • Bring fresh flowers into your workspace.
  • Walk or bike ride to work.
  • Host a walking meeting.
  • Get outside and practice mindful breathing for 5 minutes in fresh air.
  • Put on some headphones and listen to nature sounds while working.
  • Schedule outdoor nature breaks.
  • Include nature photos and pictures in your workplace.
  • Listen to nature sounds on your work break.
  • Use your favorite nature scene as a screensaver.
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