Personal notes and stories from the Great Outdoors. (3).jpg

It's time to make the most of the longer days and warmer weather...

With long, dark, cold winter months finally leaving us behind, a new world of opportunity is blossoming just beyond your window. As the seasons change, the weather is starting to improve and the days are getting longer.

To hopefully promote, positive thinking, I would like to encourage my readers to get outside, make the most of what you have, by enjoying some much-needed sunshine and perhaps begin to participate in one of the many healthy active pursuits at your disposal.

As the saying goes... 'hello body, healthy mind.'

In my life, I love nothing more than getting outside, as much as possible, whether that is commuting to work on my bike, running for pleasure or out walking with the ones closest to me. I feel it is vitally important to feed your body with valuable amounts of fresh air and participate in good amounts of exercise.

As humans, we have a tendency to respond to the weather and as a result of this, we tend to let the gloom of the dark winter months drain our body of much-needed energy and lower our overall interest in exercise.

So much so, a multitude of studies have regularly linked the “tone” of winter—the cold, the overcast skies—with depression and general laziness. Unfortunately, these feelings, like all habits, can become frequent and indeed accumulate their momentum and so carry on over into spring or even the summer months.

I’ve have personally found that one of the keys to staying active is to always be active. Instead of dreading winter, I see it as an opportunity to enjoy a totally different mix of activities. Like continually riding my bike, as a means of getting to work and going for a run to rest and unwind.

Developing a Growth Mind Set

What is a Growth Mind Set?

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a long-lasting love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.

Virtually all great people have had these qualities.

Springtime

When spring comes around, I get more opportunities to implement change, develop my routine and even do something different or add it to the regular routine.

From my own experiences, I feel that continued fresh air has certainly helped me and by undertaking regular exercise in the mornings, I feel it is the perfect way to start any given day.

Of course, it could be argued that this is the last thing on someone's mind. Especially, when they wake early in the morning, but doing such things is vital to achieving a healthy body and also a healthy mind.

As a result, it is important to see these opportunities as a challenge and a challenge is so often good for ourselves as humans.

You might find it helpful to approach your active lifestyle in the same way, which is why I would like to challenge you to get outside and try something new. In doing so, you might discover a new passion or realise this new routine, returns many positive benefits to both your own life and others around you.

I have compiled some tips for beginning a new spring or summertime activity. Those ideas are listed below:

1. Start small and exercise at your own pace.

As an example, if you take up jogging and don’t feel like you have to keep up with your marathon-running friends. You can start off small, with a walk, then a run. With each session, you are making progress and with the progress, their comes confidence and increased distance.

I have been lucky enough to compete in Triathlons and run the odd marathon over the years, but in doing so I needed to acknowledge my starting point before moving on.

In no time at all, you will be challenging yourself more and more and running or moving much further than you think. Challenge is good, so see that as a positive and not to simply focus on the negatives.

2. Don’t be afraid to practice.

As they say 'practice makes perfect' and with any new venture or endeavour there will come a learning curve. Sometimes the learning curve is steep, sometimes it is gradual, but look at everything you do, as a way of conquering your desired goals.

For example, if you choose to pick and the undertake a weekend sport, for example. It is really important to maintain composure, be realistic and don’t get too frustrated if you aren’t very good or things don't go your way.

All good things start somewhere, so it is vitally important not to lose sight of this. Whatever you do, have fun!

3. Choose your activities to surround yourself with positive people.

Positive minds essentially lead to further positive feelings among others. This is important not only for your own motivation, but also for others. Whether you are going for walks or runs with a friend or joining a group of people at a completely new club, your desired activities are a wonderful opportunity to inject positive influences into your life.

Over the years I have belonged to clubs and the support provided through those particular groups was fundamentally really helpful for me to success with my desired goals.

The support from these influences is paramount if you would like to succeed and could end up making it easier to create healthy lifestyle choices from day to day.

4. Bring the kids!

A number of warm-weather activities can be shared with your whole family, giving you an opportunity to create memories and share in each other’s healthy lifestyles.

Countries walks are especially good and finding a local woodland is even better. Nothing is better than simply wandering and exploring, with all children liking nothing better than being curious through positive play.

Where should you start?

Fundamentally, it doesn't really matter where you start. Just start! Do whatever you like or wherever you like, as long as you are being active. The goal is to find something that is both fun and healthy, but if you need some ideas to get you started, consider these activities:

I will continue to set a positive example by cycling everyday and hopefully further than in previous years.

Kayaking
Paddleboarding SUP - I love this!
Canoeing
Walking
Hiking
Jogging
Give Triathlon and try
Tai Chi in the Park
Yoga in the Park
Any Recreational Sport League (Football/Soccer, Basketball, Flag Football, Etc)
Cycling
Mountain Biking
Roller-skating
Paintball or Airsoft
Rock-climbing
Bouldering
Geocaching
Orienteering
High Ropes course with all the family
Swim in a lake or the sea (if its warm enough)

In writing this blog post, it was my intention to inspire others to get out and get moving. But... I want to make it very clear that I don't have all the answers and it is important to keep your feet on the ground, at all times. As new challenges take time and increasing amounts of effort.

One thing is for sure, nothing will change in life, unless you make it happen!

So, get out there and try something new!

If you have any further suggestions for healthy outdoor activities, then please share them in the comments below.

Live life and be happy!