6 Outdoor Activities That Are Surprisingly Good for Your Mind

We all know we should get outside more—but life, screens, and comfy couches often win. If you’ve been spending most of your time indoors lately, you're not alone. I was deep in that habit too. But every time I made the smallest effort to step outside—even just five minutes—it did something good for me. My thoughts slowed down. My mood lifted. Things felt... lighter.

You don’t need to become a hiker, runner, or full-on nature person to enjoy the benefits. You just need a reason to open the door.

Here are six simple outdoor things I’ve tried (and loved), plus how you can turn them into small Fixie goals that feel good to complete.

🛫 1. Go for a Walk Without a Destination

Seriously, just walk. No podcast, no to-do list. Let your thoughts wander while your feet do the same.

Even 10 minutes makes a difference. It clears your mind in a way that staying inside never does.

📅 Goal idea: "Take a walk 3x a week with no phone and no route."

🎮 2. Play Like a Kid Again

Throw a ball. Jump a fence. Climb something you’re probably too old to climb. It sounds silly—and that’s the point.

There’s something refreshing about doing something just because it’s fun. No end goal. Just movement and joy.

📅 Goal idea: "Play something outside once a week—zero expectations."

🌿 3. Do Nothing (Yes, That Counts)

Sit. Lay down in the grass. Look at clouds. That’s it.

We’re all so wired to be productive that doing nothing feels wrong. But I’ve found these moments reset my brain better than any app or breathwork trick.

📅 Goal idea: "Sit outside with no agenda twice a week."

☕ 4. Take One Daily Habit Outside

This one changed the game for me. I took my coffee and journal out to the steps one morning, and suddenly it wasn’t a chore—it was a vibe.

Try eating lunch outside. Or answering emails on a blanket. It adds a freshness to things you already do.

📅 Goal idea: "Take one daily habit outdoors, 3x a week."

📸 5. Go on a Photo Walk

This is the easiest creativity boost I’ve found. I walk out the door with my phone and try to notice something worth capturing.

No rules, no aesthetic needed. It helps me see the world (and my neighborhood) with more curiosity.

📅 Goal idea: "Go on a 20-minute photo walk each weekend."

🎾 6. Try One New Outdoor Thing

Paddleboard. Yoga in the park. That new racket sport everyone’s into.

Trying something new outdoors shakes off the stuck feeling. Even if I’m awkward or bad at it, the energy shift is worth it.

📅 Goal idea: "Try one new outdoor activity this month."

You don’t need to romanticize it. You don’t need to turn it into content. You just need to get out there, even for a few minutes.

If you’re in a bit of a funk right now—mentally, creatively, or emotionally—getting outside could be the easiest win you give yourself this week.

Pick one goal. Track it in Fixie. And go breathe for a bit.

🌞

Written by Mathis De Brabandere