We all know that getting outside is good for us. There are so many reasons why we should be making an effort to spend as much time outdoors as possible – fresh air and natural light is good for our body, our mind, and possibly most importantly, our soul.
But how good are we at making sure we get time outdoors every day? Even just a little bit?
Some time outside in the New Forest.
A couple of weeks ago I posted what has become a very popular post here on Splodz Blogz, asking a very simple question, “have you spent an hour outside today?”. Even one hour can be tough sometimes, especially as winter draws in.
Inspired by the get out more often campaign and encouraged by the response to that blog post, I have decided to go ahead and set a month long challenge with the aim of getting myself – and all of you – outside more often in November. The mornings and evenings are dark, it’s cold and very often raining, there seems to be an awful lot of work to be done in the office, and there is very little time for anything else other than chores when we’re at home. But I want all of us to at least try to dedicate a small percentage of our day to getting fresh air each and every day for a whole month.
So, your challenge, no, your mission (should you choose to accept it…) is very simple:
Spend at least one hour outside every day in November
Sounds easy doesn’t it? Well I’m rather hoping it will be. Although I suspect some days it might be way harder than any of us would like it to be. Which is why I think it deserves the commitment.
I don’t mind what you do in your hour – walk, run, cycle, skateboard, rush around town running errands (but time in shops doesn’t count!), go geocaching, climb trees, chase butterflies (are they even around at this time of year?!), get out on a lake in a boat, sit and drink a flask of tea while your kids play in the park, sleep under the stars, or anything else that takes your fancy.
I love a good landscape photo. I hope to take loads more in November!
While it would be best for our personal wellbeing if we could manage that hour outside in daylight hours, I realise that could be next to impossible, and so I’m not going to specify that (this time!). I also don’t mind if you have to split it into two, three or four smaller bits of time – four lots of 15 minutes will do fine if you can’t manage a whole hour in one go. Just as long as you spend at least one hour without any kind of roof above your head, then I’m happy.
Oh and there’s no storing of time… we won’t be spending seven hours outside on a Saturday and then nothing for the next six days. Not for this challenge. By all means do that day hike at the weekend – awesome – but it’s still only one day ticked off.
I’d love it if you were to use this challenge as an opportunity to make a habit of getting outside every single day. Do it at lunch time, do it on your commute, go for a walk after dinner in the evening, or maybe you’re one of those people who can fit your hour in before breakfast. It doesn’t matter. As long as by bedtime every day for a whole month you can answer that important question “did you spend an hour outside today?” with a positive YES.
Great looking tree in the New Forest.
I’m launching my One Hour Outside challenge a whole week before November actually starts so you have a little time to plan a few fun things so not all of the 30 one hour slots are walking around the block.
If you want some way of documenting how you’re doing, or want to encourage the whole family to take part by having something visual to help, I’ve created a printable record sheet that you can download. It’s a very simple calendar, but I know that something like this can help with the motivation. It would be super cool, if you choose to use the calendar, if you could take a snap of it sometime during the month so I can see how you’re doing.
Download the pdf version here.
If you’re taking part in the challenge please let me know. I’ll be keeping an eye on the hashtag #OneHourOutside over on twitter and instagram, and don’t forget to tag me @Splodz too.
Let’s make November our month of the outside, and see what a difference it makes to our body, mind and soul. Let’s turn what could be a dark and difficult month into one full of fresh air, clear heads and lots of energy. I’ll do my best to remind you throughout the month, but don’t forget this is as much a challenge for me so please drop me a line and encourage me too!
Are you up for this? Comment below and tell me. Let’s make November the month we a daily dose of the outdoors a habit. And let’s see if the research that says spending time outdoors every day is good for us is true!!
Life is all about the journey. Spend it outside, one hour at a time!
Ashley Beolens
I’m in! Although I’m pretty sure I already do an hour each day, but I might use it to motivate the rest of the household.
Splodz
Brilliant – glad to have you (and your family) on board. Look forward to chatting all things outside in November 🙂 🙂
Melissa
Grand idea – I’m in too!!
Splodz
Awesome – chuffed you’re going to join in 🙂 🙂
Allysse Riordan
Yay 😀 I love this challenge and I’m definitely in.
Thanks for organising this.
Splodz
Well it’s partly your fault! Looking forward to a whole month of getting outside 🙂
Cerys Lowe
You can count me in too.
Splodz
Great – looking forward to hearing what everyone gets up to!
Katy
yep, definitely giving this a go! In theory with a dog to walk it shouldn’t be too difficult, but we shall see….
Splodz
Ooo no excuses when you have a dog to walk! Apparently having a pet dog generally increases the time the owner spends outdoors 🙂 🙂
Sarah | The Urban Wanderer
I already spend over two hours a day outside walking around 10 miles (step geek!) id love to do more but I’d not get anything else done! Looking forward to let’s of pictures though Perhaps it could link in with my photowalk challenge as a bit of extra encouragement? Xx
Splodz
That’s awesome that you already spend two hours or more outside everyday. Would be great for you to join in and help encourage those who find it more difficult 🙂
neilsmountains
Great idea! Pretty sure I already manage this (more or less anyway) but it will be interesting to find out! For what it’s worth, I find a great way to get outside more (though not a very original one I admit) is just getting off the bus to work a few stops early and walking the rest of the way.
Splodz
Glad you think it’s a good idea – look forward to hearing more of your ideas through November 🙂
lovinglifeinwelliesblog
Such a great idea! I’ve certainly been doing that with my 2 walks a day. Having a 10 month puppy means she wants to play in the garden all of time, so an hour shouldn’t be that hard.
xx
Splodz
Thanks – I’m really pleased you and others think this is a good idea. Having a dog should definitely help – there’s motivation right there on even the busiest of days.
TheHelpfulHiker
As much as I would dearly love to, I just can’t with retail working hours and mum jobs. So I’m going to do my own version and aim for 30 hours outside in November and cram as much as possible into my days off!
Splodz
Sounds good to me – enjoy your 30 hours outside 🙂
Kaitlin Luna
I’m totally in and love this!
Splodz
Fantastic – looking forward to hearing your #OneHourOutside stories this month 🙂
chasingesme1
Such a good idea! I’m actually trying to think now whether or not I’ve been outside for an hour a day over the summer. I’m not sure I have been! Haha!
#ChasingNature
Splodz
Thanks 🙂 It’s really tough – well worth making the effort this month just to see if it’s possible! 🙂
Kelly Robinson
hat a brilliant post and one I want to follow! We try to get out as much as possible but like you say it can be more difficult than it sounds. But spending even an hour a day outside can boost your mood and reduces your chances of developing depression. Thank you for sharing such an inspirational post with #ChasingNature
Splodz
Hey Kelly and thanks very much, glad you think it’s a good idea. Sometimes we just have to stop talking and start doing, and I genuinely hope this challenge helps people make time to get outside during what can easily be one of the grottiest months of the year.