Beat Depression Naturally with These Outdoor Activities

How to Beat Depression Naturally by Getting Outside

Whether you’re in a serious funk or just looking to get a little boost try getting the heck outside.

Spending time outside can help you manage your mental health and is a way to try to beat depression naturally.

I know when you’re feeling bad all you want to do is wallow on the couch.

Wallowing has its place (trust me, I’ve done my fair share) but you’re never going to recover into your badass self by staying in your house.

Sometimes it’s just the stress from school or the grind of the work week that gets you down.

Whatever state you’re in, try these outdoor activities and it will make you feel a little better.

Yard Party

This is one of my favorite and most relaxing outdoor activities.

If you have a yard get a blanket and a book and lay in your yard.

You can journal or listen to music or just lay in the sun.

Make yourself a little plate of fruits and snacks and have a little picnic. If you don’t have a yard go out on your balcony or porch. Just enjoy being outside.

Beat Depression Naturally

Strolling

No porch? No yard? No problem! Make a playlist strolling and walk around the block.

This is a two for one because you are outside and you are exercising!

I have a post about reasons to exercise that don’t have to do with physical appearance.

If you’re feeling super sassy you can jog down the street or around the block.

Park Hop

I have made it a mission to visit all the parks in the city I live in.

I had no idea there were so many where I live until I looked it up one day.

Look up parks in your area and you might be surprised how many there are.

This website has a good park directory. Most of my friends haven’t been to the parks in our city and I feel like they are missing out!

Lots of parks have safe and maintained areas to have a nice stroll through nature. Plus it’s free (well if you don’t count tax dollars).

Going park exploring is a great activity to do when you’re short on cash.

Beat Depression Naturally

Go on a Photography Walk

Challenge yourself to take a certain number of pictures on your walk.

Try walking around your neighborhood or the downtown area.

Post the best picture you take on your social media. Another win-win!

Watch the Sunset

See if you can find the best place in your city to watch the sunset.

Try a park or a rooftop bar. Bonus points if you can get some pictures.

I love when I get to watch the sunset, it’s such a peaceful way to end the day.

Sign Up for a Class

Our city offers lots of outdoor activities like outdoor yoga, kickboxing, and Zumba classes.

There’s also guided nature walks and stargazing on certain nights.

See what activities are available in your area and sign up! Ask a friend to go with you so you’ll have an accountability buddy.

Beat Depression Naturally

Bike!

If you don’t have a bike check craigslist and see if you can find a used one.

I have also gotten cheap bikes from Target that worked fine for just cruising around.

If you have a bike, great. Head out on a ride around your neighborhood. Find out if there are bike paths or trails where you live.

If your car is too small to fit your bike get a bike rack and you can pop it on the back.

I love bike paths because they are safer than biking on roads and the one in our city is in a beautiful wooded area.

Hike it Out

Want to go on an even bigger adventure? Grab a friend and go on a hike.

Research to see if there are any State or National Parks in your area. Most parks have hiking trails if there is one near you.

Kayak

If you’re feeling the outdoor adventure vibe look and see if there’s somewhere to rent kayaks nearby.

Grab a friend and head out. Being on the water can shake me out of almost any funk.

Beat Depression Naturally

Garden

If you don’t have a yard or any experience gardening start with growing some plants outside by your front door or on your porch.

If you really want to go for it plant a garden in your backyard. I prefer to plant flowers!

Walk a Dog

This is one of my favorite outdoor activities. If you have a dog this will be an easy one, but if you don’t own a dog it might be a little trickier.

Try asking your friends to see if someone will let you borrow their dog to take on a walk or to a park.

This is a bonus because you’re not just doing something nice for yourself you’re also doing something nice for your new dog friend.

I am not a licensed therapist. If you are suffering from a major disorder and need treatment please seek the help of a professional. If you need help finding a mental health care provider call  1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can download a free printable list of hotlines here.

feel better by going outside

outdoor activities to improve depressiona and mental health. Awesome self-care ideas.

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7 thoughts on “Beat Depression Naturally with These Outdoor Activities

  1. Great tips. The thing that helps me most is just to go do something different. Go work out at a different gym. Go run somewhere I’ve never been. Just experience something new and different.

  2. I love the park hopping idea. I know there are so many parks in my city that I have never even been to. I think this is a great way to get outdoors and get to know my city a little better.

  3. I always tell myself it’s not ‘really’ working out if i’m not at the gym, but I forget the outdoors is the ORIGINAL gym LOL! I love these routine-changing ways to get moving! I need to go on a hike soon and get some fresh air!

  4. I was so surprised when I googled parks in my area. I had no idea there were so many!

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