MORE TIME OUTSIDE: A SIMPLE NATURE GOAL FOR THE NEW YEAR

Forest Junkie
Dec 26, 2025
4 min read

When: Whenever it fits your schedule

Where: Wherever it works best for you

What: Spending more time in nature

Every year it’s the same story. We want to spend more time outside, be more active, feel less stressed… and somehow life gets in the way. Too busy. Too tired. Not sure where to go or what to do. So this year, instead of classic New Year’s resolutions, I want to suggest something different and much more fun: make spending more time in nature your goal. No pressure. No perfection. Just more fresh air, trees, lakes, forests and small outdoor adventures close to home.

WHY SPENDING MORE TIME OUTSIDE WORKS

Let’s start with the obvious one: being outside means moving your body. Walking, cycling, hiking, canoeing, it all adds up. Even berry picking during a forest walk includes kneeling down a lot, and getting up again. It’s gentle movement, but it’s real movement. And movement is good for your body.

But there’s more.

Spending time in nature is proven to reduce stress and mental fatigue. Forests are full of calming colours and smells. Your phone stays in your pocket. Your thoughts slow down. Many people notice that their breathing becomes deeper and their head feels quieter after a walk outside.

You might have heard of forest bathing (also known as shinrin-yoku). It’s not about hiking far or fast, it’s about being present in the forest, using your senses and simply being there. But you don’t need a fancy name for it. Sitting on a rock, listening to birds, watching light move through the trees, that’s already enough.

Nature helps both your physical health and mental health, without you having to train, perform or improve anything.

OKAY, THIS SOUNDS GOOD, BUT HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY DO THIS?

For years I wore a smartwatch. I liked the features in the app connected to the watch. The badges, the challenges and the small goals linked to days, weekends or months. More than once, those challenges pushed me to go outside when I otherwise wouldn’t have. But at some point, it started to work against me. I listened more to my watch than to my body. If my husband asked if I slept well, I checked my watch first. That was my sign to stop.

I don’t wear a smartwatch anymore, but I did keep one thing: monthly goals.

This year, I’m making a simple list every month with outdoor activities I want to do. Nothing strict. Just ideas and inspiration, shaped by the season. It’s a gentle push, a reminder of what I want, not what I must do.

START SIMPLE, USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE

You really don’t need special gear or big plans. A great starting point is a step goal. Many health organisations suggest around 7,000–10,000 steps per day. Most phones track steps automatically. And if you don’t have a smartphone, a simple step counter is cheap and easy to find.

If a daily goal feels too strict, try a monthly goal instead. Walk more on some days, rest on others, it all balances out. Then look around you, a nearby park, a forest edge, a nature reserve, a lake you can walk around or a beach. Keep it close. A short distance lowers the barrier and makes it easier to go outside more often. Want a bit more intensity? Add variety! Walking, running, cycling and mixing all three.

ADD CREATIVITY (THIS IS WHERE IT GETS FUN)

What I always loved about smartwatch challenges was that some goals were different. Not just distance or time, but something that made you think more out of the box. This takes a bit more planning, but is sooo worth it :-)

Here are a few ideas:

A 12 km (or more) hike instead of your usual shorter walk
A hike focused on height difference, not distance
A route with soft sand, hills or obstacles

Seasonal ideas work especially well:

Winter: ice skating, cross-country skiing, a well prepared cold water dip (built up with cold showers), a hike in the dark with a headlamp for a totally different experience
Spring: a hike combined with a barbecue in the forest, bird watching, kickstart your day with a super early morning walk for great photography conditions
Summer: canoeing or stand up paddling, swimming in a lake, roller skating
Autumn: mushroom hunting, mountain biking while enjoying the beautiful autumnal forest

You don’t need to invest a lot of money. Outdoor gear can often be rented, borrowed or found second-hand.

NATURE GOALS WITH KIDS

If you have children, you already have an advantage: kids are naturally curious outside and use their fantasy.

You can make walks more exciting by:

Picking berries in summer
Looking for animal tracks
Collecting pinecones or leaves
Searching for mushrooms and making spore prints afterwards

Another lovely idea is to turn a walk into a small picnic adventure. Let kids carry their own food in a simple, handmade bindle (a knapsack on a stick). Nothing heavy or perfect, just a sandwich, some fruit and a drink. Walking to a nice spot, spreading out a blanket and eating together in the forest instantly makes the outing feel special. And when children feel involved and responsible for their own little pack, the journey often becomes just as fun as the destination.

KEEP IT LIGHT, KEEP IT YOURS

Mix easy goals with a few more creative ones. Some days it’s just a short walk. Other days it’s something that takes a bit more effort but often gives you an unforgettable experience in return. Don’t wait for an organised event or the perfect moment. Create your own events. I leave you with a few helpful links and inspiring earlier blog posts to kickstart your New Year’s resolutions.