When you think back on your favourite childhood memories, many of them will include romping through dales, meadows, sea sides, and other outdoor locations with your friends and family. Perhaps you would climb trees, visit the beach, swim in the creek, or camp in the woods.

Making new memories is something that should be continued into your adult years. As a matter of fact, there is hardly a better time for you to engage in outdoor activities with your loved ones, or even all by yourself. Summer holidays are coming around the corner, and while things may be a bit different these days there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy all that can be found in the great outdoors. Alternatively, you can also enjoy the summer from inside your own home by building an outdoor glass room in your house.

Time outdoors is time well-spent

Taking time away from your day-to-day lifestyle is good for mental and physical health. Taking time away from the confines of modern society allows the mind to disconnect from the stress, anxieties, and demands of our modern lives. In addition to providing a very important break from these negative elements, there are other important benefits that time in Mother Nature’s backyard can provide. Let’s examine a few:

When we think of heading outdoors for fun and adventure, we often consider activities with a great deal of physical effort involved. Whether you are going kayaking, fishing, cycling, hiking, or even fishing, you will be engaging in physical activity. Challenging the body regularly is a good way to keep your physical conditions on point and enjoy a positive benefit to mental balance and feelings of well-being.

Another benefit is less known but equally important. Have you ever heard the adage: “nature is the best medicine?” this has actually been proven by many scientific studies. Spending time in nature relaxes the mind, alleviates stress, and boosts the production of dopamine and serotonin. Just a regular walk through the woods can boost your resistance to depression and anxiety and even improve your memory functions.

And the benefits don’t stop there. Connecting with mother earth increases your appreciation and concern for the well-being of our planet and the life that depends upon it. This can be a great way to fuel your creativity, curiosity, and passion for exploration. It can also boost mindfulness and self-confidence.

How to incorporate outside summer ideas

No matter where you live, you will not have to travel far to visit the beautiful and serene countryside. The good news is that there are beautiful locations in nature all around us. Whether you are planning on making a solo trip or joining up with family and friends this summer, here are some great ways to make a connection with nature on your summer holiday.

Ditch the gym — we all understand the paramount importance of getting regular exercise. But it is far better to get exercise in the great outdoors. Not only will you be giving your muscles, lungs, and heart a workout, but you will be relaxing the heart and mind as well. Furthermore, sunlight is filled with vitamin D, which is as potent an antidepressant as you can find in any drugstore. So, consider replacing the treadmill with a run through the local park.

Hit the road for a vacation destination — what better way to enjoy the beautiful countryside than travelling from region to region along the roads? You can make as many stops as you would like along the way. Visit places of interest like forests, nature reserves, and even iconic towns and landmarks. Bring along your hammock and picnic blanket so you can truly immerse yourself in some of the most picturesque locations along the way.

Gas up the grill — You don’t have to go far to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Outdoor cooking is a time-honoured tradition that predates architecture and the concept of an “indoors” — by almost 390,000 years. On a warm summer night, gather the clan for a cookout under the evening stars, just as our ancestors did many millennia ago — except you can use a modern gas-powered grill and won’t have to hunt your wooly mammoth.

Tim