I heard the phrase “wellness wild card” a few years ago and quickly fell in love with the concept. Essentially, your wellness wild card is something that isn’t directly related to health but completes your wellness and self-care needs. As the name suggests, it can be different for everyone – examples include journaling, skincare, painting, reading. My ‘wellness wild card’ is spending time outside, which is why Spring is my favorite season. I love that the weather warms up but isn’t too unbearably hot or humid. If you also love to spend time outside (or if you’re trying to embrace it more!), I highly recommend these five activities for spending time in the sunshine.
1: Eat Meals Outside
My favorite days of the week are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, because my schedule allows me to eat outside. There’s nothing better than taking a mid-day break and basking in the sunshine with a good meal or ending the day with dinner on the porch. I have found that eating meals outside always results in enjoying the meals more – something about sitting in the grass, feeling a nice breeze, or watching the sun slowly set makes food more flavorful and satisfying. Picnics are also an incredibly fun weekend activity that can be fairly easy to coordinate.
2: Visit a Farmers Market
I read somewhere that October is the biggest month for farmers markets, but I personally prefer them in March, April, and May. Not only because of the weather, but also because of Spring produce – beets, cilantro, rhubarb, strawberries, mangoes, and pineapples (just to name a few!). Farmers markets are also a great way to support local businesses, discover new food combinations, and simply spend time walking around outside.
3: Join a Run Club
I recently joined a run club in January – and it’s been so effective in expanding my time spent outside (and also expanding my community!). Most run clubs have members for every pace (and some walkers), so you don’t need to be an experienced, skilled distance runner to enjoy a run club! Because of my run club, I have discovered new trails in my area and found more outdoor spaces that I enjoy visiting for walks or picnics.
4: Opt for Outdoor Shopping Centers
One of my favorite weekend activities is visiting outdoor shopping centers. Like Farmers Markets, this is an easy way to get your steps in and support local businesses. Also, if it gets too warm, you can easily pop into a shop to cool off.
5: Visit a Garden
Botanical gardens, nurseries, and museums with outdoor spaces are amazing places to spend time outside. Flower-filled areas are also linked with a multitude of health benefits, like reduced stress, improved creativity + memory, and increased energy levels. Flowers are also a fun way to embrace the season of Spring, and reflect on a time of rebirth and renewal.
Let us know your favorite outdoor activities for Springtime – make sure to tag us on socials if you embrace any of our suggestions!
Hannah Fliess
Hannah is currently pursuing a Master of Health Administration at the University of Florida. Hannah is incredibly passionate about intuitive eating through gentle nutrition. She loves distance running, matcha lattes, and dark chocolate!