Mood-Boosting Activities: 5 Outdoor Options

Carly Brasseux // September 12

Looking to boost your mood with a few outdoor activities? We all know that spending time outdoors has tremendous healing powers on our mood. Fresh air. Sun on our skin. Ahhhhhh, breathe it in! The outdoors, whether camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, or having a good ol’ picnic with the kids, can be a mood booster.

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with nature just because you’re feeling down in the dumps. Use it to your advantage!

Mother Nature is full of beauty and awe that can turn a {very} bad day into a better one.

Try these mood-boosting outdoor activities when you need a pick-me-up:

Go outside and just sit in the sun. Grounding is a powerful tool. Have you ever noticed how the warm sunshine feels on a beautiful summer day? There’s really nothing quite like it. The sun is a free resource that can make your whole day shine slightly brighter. Thank you for the free vitamin D.

mood boosting activities you can easily do at home

Be one with the birds. Sounds corny, right? Birdwatching can totally relax you. When you go birdwatching, grab your binoculars and a snack. You’re certain to spend more time watching than you’d think.

Take a quick hike. Get rid of stress and lighten your mood quickly with a hike. State parks offer great trails that give you lots of options. You can also go hiking in your neighborhood – it doesn’t have to be a thru-hike, just get outside and move! Make it as easy as possible for yourself.

Have a picnic. Picnics are the best, aren’t they?! Pack some handy snacks, and fun drinks (roadie anyone?) and get outside and eat. Don’t forget the blanket and book so you can soak up the sun as well. Having a picnic and surrounding yourself with a few of your favorite things is a fun, easy way to forget your worries and boost your mood. 

Go on a camping trip. Sitting around a campfire and eating s’mores can do wonders. All you really need to go camping is a tent and a few other items. The rest is all downhill. Camping by yourself is fun, but this might be one outdoor activity where you invite others along. Teamwork makes the dream work.

Let these outdoor activities boost your mood. All of these outdoor activities are inexpensive, easy, and simple. 

When it comes to taking care of yourself and your mood, reconnecting with the simplicity of nature often is all we need. The outdoors offers so many ways to boost your mental and physical health that you can’t help but feel better.

Imagine how much better you’d feel if you started getting outside for at least 15 minutes each day. More than likely, you’d notice a genuine, positive effect on your mood and lifestyle. 

All you have to do is step outside your door to get started. Good luck!

About the Author

Carly Brasseux

Carly Brasseux is a determined and passionate freelance outdoor writer, published author, business owner and social media/marketing consultant based in Texas. In a world where women are the fastest growing segment of the hunting population, she is a major proponent of those women wanting to learn more about the outdoors and hunting. Her handle, Miss Pursuit, is an expression of her enthusiasm for all things outdoors, from educating women through her experiences learning to hunt over the last decade, to getting out with her kids to explore the wild. Her expertise in social media and marketing, as well as her vast network of people in the outdoor industry, have given her the influence to make an impact for years to come. Member of the Mule Deer Foundation, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Stewards of the Wild and the Texas Wildlife Association.