Finding— and Maximizing— Time for Adventure

By Sylvia Karcz, Contributing blogger

Life gets busy; we get it. On any given day, to-do lists get longer, time to do them gets seemingly shorter, and our self-care gets pushed to the sidelines because, well— c’est la vie. Work, family, school, mental fatigue, inaccessibility; numerous factors can make it difficult to plan adventures outside when we’re worried about those big things. Studies in the past decade have echoed this notion and shown that less than 20% of people go outside once a week to move and groove in some capacity.

As lovers of the outdoors, that’s a statistic we’d like to see changed. We believe that spending time outdoors is, in fact, a very big thing—it boosts mood, stimulates our brains, and greatly improves overall health and well-being. And the thing is, finding time to get outside for a little adventure is simpler than you may think!

We’ve rounded up a few quick tips to help turn outdoor adventure into a daily or weekly practice. Time is a precious resource, but consistently connecting with nature is invaluable!

Shift your “adventure” perspective.

When I think of adventure, I imagine grand multi-day backpacking trips, days of swift water kayaking, and long backcountry ski tours. My standards are high, and over time, I’ve realized that’s to my detriment. Outdoor adventures don’t have to be grandiose or mega-planned to be fulfilling, and the more we shift that perspective, the more adventure we’ll have.

My advice: plan more micro-adventures. Keep them small, keep them local, and keep the logistics simple. How about a 60-minute bike ride around your neighborhood, stopping at a café or eatery on your way back to celebrate? Or: head out on a local hike with a compass and test your navigational skills by marking landmarks and cardinal directions, or take a stroll around your neighborhood to take note of wildflowers or tree leaves. Adventure awaits right outside your doorstep, and there’s no better time to hope on the journey than now.

Organize, then materialize.

Here’s a hard truth: busy schedules don’t magically become unbusy. What they can become, though, is more organized. When it comes to getting outdoors, I’ve personally found that in order to feel good about taking much-needed time to play outside, I first need to feel assured that I won’t be set back and that other tasks will still get done. Creating a schedule —a dry-erase board is super handy—helps immensely with this mental hurdle; it ensures outdoor activities are not merely “extras” that happen if there’s leftover time, but equally necessary weekly objectives.

 Try organizing each day into blocks —i.e., work, grocery shopping, pilates class, cooking, or meal prep— and carve time for outdoor play; it can be as little as 15 minutes once a week to start. Then, gradually increase the time and the number of days until you’ve integrated consistent outdoor adventures into your very existence.

Make it a group date.

You probably know the saying: one’s company, two’s a crowd, three’s a party, right?! While it’s true that some people work best alone, when it comes to movement outdoors, I’ve found that involving friends and family, or even joining a group meetup helps immensely with keeping outdoor play consistent, on track, and well—fun! It also adds a certain accountability. If you agree to take a hike with a friend, chances are you won’t skimp unless they skimp (disclaimer: don’t be that person who convinces them to skimp!) Same with an outdoor exercise group or birding meetup. If you sign up or agree to something, there’s a higher likelihood it’ll happen.

Also, don’t be afraid to be the planner! Reach out to someone with concrete details —“Hey, want to meet me for a three-mile jaunt at Wildflower Pass this Friday for a sunset hike?— or organize a group ride with friends instead of that weekend happy hour!

Prep your gear & clothing.

Sure, maybe it’s in your closet and it only takes a couple of minutes to grab, but if that alarm is ringing at 6 am and you’re feeling tired, it really helps if your backpack and running shoes are there staring at you— and maybe even judging for not getting out of bed quicker!

It’s a small step, but one that’s proven to work. No matter if you’re heading for a hike, a bike ride, or simply doing a cold plunge in your backyard— avoiding those last-minute scrambles by having your gear prepared and waiting can do wonders. Just like planning an outdoor outing with friends, gear, too, holds a sense of accountability.

Don’t go home.

Whether you’re on your way back from a day at work, at school, or even running errands, try making it a point to integrate “pit stops” at trailheads or local parks before making your way back home. Pack walking-approved shoes and a simple change of clothes if necessary, and just do it: knock out a micro-adventure by going for a walk, hike, swim…you name it.

No matter how short or long you make the adventure, keeping that momentum going, despite how tired you feel, is pure science— a body in motion stays in motion and a body at rest stays at rest. Unless your willpower is truly off-the-charts, chances are that once you put your legs up after a long day it’ll be much harder to motivate and mobilize for outdoor movement.

Try habit-stacking.

Are you a voracious reader who treasures that 30-minute reading time before bed? A breath-work enthusiast or dedicated journaler who prides themselves on a consistent practice? Whether it’s running, a stretching routine, or meal prep, I encourage playing around with the concept of “habit-stacking” —incorporating new habits by linking them to existing ones!— to get more outdoor time in your world!

For instance, what if you packed your notebook and took it on a hike to journal from a summit or trailside picnic table? Or, try out an audiobook on your next bike ride, and take your stretching routine, breathwork, or even your homework to a nearby park. It may take some adjustment, sure, but there are ways to efficiently combine two —or more!—passions together to maximize time in the outdoors.  The result is often an exciting new routine that can take on a life of its own!