There are plenty of advantages to living in an urban environment. The city is convenient, you can meet people, and there’s always something to see or do. However, these advantages do come at a cost, and that is that people don’t get as much nature time as they’d like. It’s a common complaint from city-dwellers, and a common New Year’s resolution, too: “this year, I’m going to spend more time in the outdoors.” Sometimes, this goal falls by the wayside for a number of reasons, but one reason it shouldn’t fail is difficulty in making it happen. Below, we take a look at some useful tips that’ll have you outside more. 

Where to Go

It doesn’t matter whether you live in Liverpool, London, or Birmingham: there are always beautiful, all-natural spots near to big cities. Indeed, you can be in a beautiful corner of the country within an hour or less, no matter where you are. If you’re trying to make the outdoors a greater part of your life, then start small. You might enjoy a multi-day visit into the great outdoors, but you’re not going to do it every weekend. Start with a simple day trip. Once you see the benefits of the outdoors, you’ll be more willing to make it a bigger part of your life. 

The Right Equipment

It’s always worthwhile remembering that, you know, we live in the United Kingdom, where the weather can sometimes be...less than pleasant. If you’re waiting for a sunny day to appear (on a Saturday nonetheless) before you head outdoors, then you’re going to be waiting for a long time. So instead of waiting for the best weather, ready yourself to go outdoors even when the weather is less than ideal. A strong base layer and waterproofing clothing, along with sturdy boots, will be all you need. 

Cars For the Outdoors

Another thing that puts city-folk from venturing into the outdoors is the effect it may have on their cars. If you’ve got a Smart Car, then sure, you’re going to have difficulties if you’re trying to take it out of an urban area. As such, it’s a good idea to look at getting a car that looks at home in a city but can comfortably handle the varied terrain of the outdoors, such as a used Mercedes Benz g class. It’s much easier to spend time in the outdoors if you know all you need to do is jump into your vehicle and go. 

Join a Group

Your enthusiasm for the outdoors may begin to wane slightly after a few trips, especially if you’re going alone. As such, it’s a good idea to look at joining an outdoors group. You’ll be more motivated to take a trip when you know other people are going, and you’ll make friends too.

Make it a Priority

Ultimately, the people who always get their nature fix will be the ones who make it a priority. Make it an essential part of your lifestyle, and you’ll end up in the outdoors more.