How Outdoor Recreation Can Help You Become More Present
— By Phil Houston
Spending time out in nature is one of the simple pleasures in life. Not only is it free, but it also has many proven benefits for your mental health and promotes overall wellbeing. While it’s common knowledge that fresh air and being outside is good for you, what isn’t common is knowing how to collaborate with nature to obtain a better sense of peace, ground the mind, and regulate our emotions.
Different Types of Activities
No matter what level of fitness you’re at, there is an ideal outdoor recreational activity for you. Some people love the experience of spending days in nature while others prefer to keep it shorter. It’s completely up to you what type of adventure you choose to follow. Any activity that increases time spent, at least 10-30 minutes, out in the sun each day can help to improve your mood and sleep.
If you prefer to partake in activities at a calmer pace, you might like:
Going for a walk
Picnicking
Bird watching
Fishing
Paddle boarding
Gardening.
If you’re feeling up for a challenge, you may enjoy:
Hiking
Kayaking
Whitewater rafting
Rock climbing
Mountain biking
Backpacking
Tips for Beginners
No one likes to walk into something new without knowing what to expect. Doing some research before you start anything new is the first step; knowing the do’s and don’ts of any recreational activity can make or break the experience. Don’t let the fear of not knowing how to do something keep you from trying it out. Everyone starts their journey somewhere. Every professional was once a beginner, so approaching your new activity with an open mind and a willingness to learn is key to getting started.
It’s often helpful to do new activities with people you trust or who have more experience than you do. Some activities, such as outdoor recreational sports like kayaking, whitewater rafting, or rock climbing, require the assistance of individuals with extensive experience and professional guides to ensure that you stay safe and have an enjoyable time. If possible, you can also look for local classes that will teach you the basics to the activity that you’re interested in.
Benefits of Outdoor Recreation
In a world that is so fast-paced and centered around technology, intentional moments of connection are seeming few and far between. Outdoor recreation not only provides a lot of fun activities for people who are looking to connect with others and find new adventures, but it is also filled with many valuable life lessons.
Partaking in a new activity gives you the opportunity to develop relationships with others and also strengthen the relationship that you have with yourself. In addition, getting out of your comfort zone can help to boost your confidence and self-esteem, leaving a positive impact on your mental health.
Since many of these activities often require you to go with someone, you have the opportunity to create genuine bonds with others as you share these experiences. By experiencing moments in nature with others, you are opening the door to build relationships that are grounded in trust without distractions.
Outdoor recreation also provides you with opportunities to strengthen the relationship with yourself. Moments of solitude in nature give you the chance to reflect internally and gain clarity on life. More challenging activities can often give us experiences that show us in a tangible way how our emotions manifest and regulate in certain situations.
Mindfulness and Mental Health
Overthinking about the past and worrying about the future are two of the most common complaints that therapists hear from their clients. This stems from the fact that many people struggle to find a connection in the present moment.
It’s true that there are definitely times when you need to focus your energy toward the past or future for the purpose of learning from a mistake or making a new long-term goal. However, living in the past or constantly looking to the future prevents us from being present and enjoying our life. If you are always dwelling on the past you could be living with regret and anxiety; those who are always climbing for the next best thing may struggle with self-worth and are constantly dissatisfied with where they are at in life.
Being present and practicing mindfulness gives you the ability to pause and identify what you’re experiencing in the present moment. In turn, this allows you to find the support you need to process your experience.
For example, if you have anxiety about an upcoming work meeting and notice that you are holding tension in your chest, you can call a friend to go on a bike ride with you to help ease your anxiety. By focusing your attention on the activity with your friend, you are helping yourself remain present and in the moment. Striving to be more present in life will help you gain more self-awareness and learn how to notice and respond to your emotions in a healthy way.
A simple and easy way to practice connecting to the present moment is to find a comfortable place to sit and pause for a few moments. Focus on tapping into your five senses to ground yourself. Notice what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste.
Your mind will naturally wander to thought and when it does, just notice it. Slowly shift your awareness back to your senses. When we tap into our senses, we are actively practicing mindfulness. This is one exercise to use when learning mindfulness in your daily life. Try doing this while you are spending time outside in nature. It’s the perfect place to practice grounding yourself with beautiful views just around each corner that will help you to ease your mind and enjoy the present.
