Feeling stressed? Disconnected? Is weltschmerz (world-pain-related grief) settling in?
Start spending at least 2-hours per week outdoors. That’s the amount of time researchers believe is needed to experience nature’s health benefits according to the Yale 360 article, Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health. “People who spent two hours a week in green spaces — local parks or other natural environments, either all at once or spaced over several visits — were substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don’t.”
We’ve felt the benefits in our leisure-testing. I asked my husband, the Chris half of The ChriMel Show, for his take on what’s so great about adventuring outdoors. His response? “It puts everything into perspective. I think it’s something instinctual and something to the core of our existence. No other life form spends all of its time indoors.”
Looking for places to get outdoors and explore? Check out our double-thumbs-up fun outdoor adventures.
Our Double-Thumbs-Up Fun Outdoor Adventures:
Elba Fire tower in elba, mn
The Elba Fire Tower itself is 110 feet tall and it sits atop a bluff that takes 637 steps of various steepness to climb. For comparison, the Eiffel Tower is 984 feet tall, 1,063 feet to its very tip. While the Elba Fire Tower is slighter than the Eiffel in stature, and far more humble in its build, the views from it are phenomenal.
A couple of minnesota state parks
Whitewater State Park is home to hiking trails, picnic areas, a swimming beach, and more. The park celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. Best known for its springtime bluebell wildflowers, Carley State Park has five miles of hiking trails. Have a look at both by watching our We Had a Picnic and a Hike and Had a Tiff About Cookies episode of The ChriMel Show.
public lands in north dakota that amazed us
While at Fort Lincoln State Park, we enjoyed views of the Missouri River, explored the reconstructed earth lodges at On-A-Slant Village, and looked for the Blockhouse fort Chris saw online. Further down I-94 we came across Painted Canyon Visitor Center, part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In addition to offering amazing views, there’s a rest area and a shop. For more details on fun outdoor sights to see in North Dakota, check out our Getting from Bismarck, North Dakota to Bozeman, Montana post.
peets hill / burke park in bozeman
The gravel and dirt path available for hiking at Burke Park is part of the Main Street to Mountains system of trails. It might not have been strenuous enough to burn off all our lunchtime calories, but both our time and our hiking knowledge were in limited supply during our stay in Bozeman. The weather was beautiful and so were the views. What else can be done in Bozeman? Check out our post 24-hours in Bozeman, Montana for more details.
Tubbs hill
It’s the hiking hill that almost wasn’t. The 165-acre natural peninsula within CDA city limits avoided becoming a municipal power plant, a convention center, and a condo development. In 1974, Tubbs Hill was spared from further possibilities and became a place for locals and visitors to enjoy its natural beauty. Read How to spend a day in Coeur d’Alene for more great reasons to visit CDA.
the great outdoors of washington state
Washington State is full of phenomenal hikes. Our sense of awe and wonder increased with each one. We started with Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. Then, we paid a visit to nearby Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. Their forests are a peaceful retreat and the trails are fun and pretty easy-peasy to hike. Tacoma is a great place to call home base while exploring forests and mountains. Here are 5 reasons we can’t wait to return to Tacoma.
Mount rainier
Remember to pack water and snacks when you go! When we went to the Paradise section of the mountain, we thought we’d be on a casual walk among wildflowers. We were wrong.
mount st. helens
We saw both nature’s destructive power and its ability to renew while hiking the Johnston Ridge Observatory area of Mount St. Helen’s. After our hike we spent the night in Olympia, Washington. It was a near-enough place to rest.
As we spend more time exploring the great outdoors, our curiosity about nature’s wonders increases. At the end of each hike, we both feel a sense of peace. What’s your favorite way to get outdoors and explore? Click here and let us know!
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