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Outdoor activities are a great way to recharge and connect with nature. Taking the time to slow down and appreciate your surroundings has been shown to positively influence mental health. Time spent in nature benefits all of us, whether you’re a seasoned outdoors-woman or just testing out the waters.

Here are some outdoor activities to try on your next adventure!

Hiking

Hiking is a great way to get into the outdoors and doesn’t require much gear. A sturdy pair of shoes can take you far. Search for day hikes within your area. Sites like alltrails.com are great for finding nearby trails and providing information about the trails and conditions. Find something within your ability level to start and as you become more comfortable with trail finding, challenge yourself with more adventurous hikes.

Camping

Camping only needs to be as rustic as you make it. Although there can be a lot of gear involved, look for places that rent gear, or find friends that you can borrow gear from. At the minimum a tent and sleeping bag are necessary. All established campgrounds provide at least a pit toilet, but many do have running water and indoor bathrooms. Depending on what you’re looking for, some campgrounds provide showers, laundry facilities and indoor recreation areas. This information can oftentimes be found online, or by calling the campground directly.

Backpacking

Backpacking is a great way to get away from crowds and people and enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors. If you’re already an experienced hiker/camper, backpacking is a great way to combine the two and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Although this requires more gear, see if you can borrow a friend’s (or friend of a friend) equipment.

Trail Running

If running is already part of your routine, try trail running for a change. This way you can enjoy the outdoors while you exercise, rather than the view from your treadmill, track or neighborhood. The added agility of dodging roots and rocks is great cross trailing. Look for running clubs in your area. This is a great way to meet other runners and learn new trails.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is a great way to spend time outdoors with friends. The sport can be as much of a workout or social gathering as you want it to be. Start by joining a local gym, and learning the basic skills you need to climb. Climbing gyms are a great place to practice your skills, meet other climbers and make friends. Some gyms will organize groups to go on climbing trips. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with outdoor climbing close by, find a trusted partner and start exploring. As far as adventurous outdoor sports go, rock climbing is on the less expensive end.

Trail/Mountain Biking

If running isn’t really your style, but you want to get more exercise outdoors; try trail biking. Ask around at local bike shops for trail recommendations and bike rentals. For those just getting into trail biking, renting bikes is a great place to start. Bikes can get expensive quickly with parts, gear and maintenance. Places like REI offer bike clinics and group trips. This is a great way to meet new people trying to get into the outdoors like yourself.

If you enjoy trail or mountain biking, try fat-biking in the winter. Fat bikes have wider tires designed to stay on top of and give traction in snow. This is great for biking on snow packed roads or trails, although maybe not the best for fresh/loose snow.

Snowshoeing

If you’re trying to break the winter blues, snowshoeing is the winter version of hiking. Even when it's cold out, you’re sure to work up a sweat snowshoeing. Daily snowshoe rentals are fairly inexpensive and shops can provide information on trails in the area. Snowshoe trails are typically easy to follow in the snow.

Cross-country Skiing

to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing is a great way to explore the outdoors in the winter. Cross-country skiing can be awkward at first, especially if you have never been on skis before. However, as you get more comfortable and learn the rhythm you can move around quite efficiently in snow. This is a great way to get outdoors and exercise in the winter.

If your dog enjoys the snow, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing is a great way to get outdoors with your four-legged friend. Keeping your pets active and outdoors in winter will be enjoyable for both of you.

Alpine Skiing/Snowboarding

Skiing or snowboarding is a great way to enjoy the mountains in winter. Whether you’ve been skiing since you were a kid or a first timer, a ski trip with friends is a great way to break the winter blues. Many people don’t learn to ski until mid-twenties to thirties or even later. Shops will rent you nearly all the gear you need (skis, boots, poles, helmets and even warm jackets and pants depending on the shop). It’s a great skill to have so that you can enjoy ski trips and not feel left behind in the winter. Of course, there is always the après ski afterward.

Let us know which of these activities you are gonna try out next!