Why You Need a Micro Adventure
Do you ever need to get away, but you can’t take time off of work or you have a small budget? Then you need a micro-adventure! Micro adventures are the perfect solution for wanderlust when you don’t have a lot of time to spare for a full adventure. I’m looking at you weekend warriors! Keep reading to learn how you can plan your ideal micro adventure and get some inspiration for your trip!
Living in a city can be hard sometimes, especially if you’re a lover of nature. It can be hard to deal with the constant crowds, the noises, and the endless pavement. Even if you don’t live in a city, finding time to spend time in nature can be difficult. So if you’re feeling the itch of adventure, but you don’t have a week or even a day to take off, you can still scratch that itch.
Living in a city can be challenging sometimes, especially if you’re a lover of nature. Dealing with the constant crowds, loud noises, and endless pavement can start to grind on your nerves. At least, it starts to grind MY nerves! But even if you don’t live in a city, making time to get outdoors can be difficult. That’s where a micro-adventure comes in!
In this post, we’re going to go over what a micro adventure is, how it can help improve your life, and we’ll go over some ideas to get you started.
What is a Micro Adventure?
A micro adventure is a short trip that is geographically accessible and affordable, on both your time and your wallet. Think of a micro adventure as a small scale adventure that takes place close to home, often within a day or a weekend.
A micro adventure is a great way to make new memories, breathe some fresh air, try a new restaurant, or load up the car for a fun road trip. They can be a fun way to break up the daily routine, get you outside your comfort zone, see new places, and deepen your relationships by making new memories together.
Benefits of a Micro Adventure
There are many benefits of a micro adventure, such as:
Mental Health: Improve your mental health by reducing stress by spending time out in nature. There are many scientific studies that show reductions in stress by being outdoors. And less stress means an improved mood, a relaxed state of mind, and overall an increase in happiness.
For more information about the benefits of spending time in nature, I found this article to be very helpful:
Physical Health: Even a short hike is great for you as it gets your heart pumping. Cardiovascular health is something that we all should be prioritizing as many of us live mostly sedentary lifestyles.
So a micro adventure that gets you hiking, biking, walking, or even rock climbing and swimming will boost your physical health. Not to mention breathing in fresh air that isn’t clogged with pollutants!
Social Benefits: Spending time trying new activities with your friends and loved ones is a great way to create shared memories. Anytime we laugh, smile, or experience joy with a loved one we create intimacy and trust, which creates a deeper bond.
Convenience: Since you’ll only be gone for a day or a weekend, you can easily fit a micro adventure into a busy schedule.
Why do you need a micro-adventure:
A break from the daily grind
You need a micro-adventure because it’s a fun escape from your daily schedule. Taking breaks from the daily grind to reconnect with your inner explorer will revive your joie de vivre. Don’t believe me? After my friend and I got back from a weekend away to a small mountain town we both agreed that we felt more energy in our daily life, and it became more enjoyable to complete our daily tasks. In fact, my friend even entered a state of heightened creativity upon her return.
Get to be a tourist in your local area
We often don’t make time to get outside the city limits and try new recreation areas. I’ve learned over the years however that being a tourist is a great way to learn more about your surroundings and see and try new things. Try exploring a new area that’s an hour or two away, you might be surprised by what you’re able to discover and explore. Or if you have more time or are willing to travel further, see what you can find for fun and unique spots 3 or more hours away. It’s still happening on a weekend, and you might surprise yourself with what is around you.
Get to spend time with and make fresh memories with family or friends
Life is a collection of memories, and they should be made at every opportunity. Don’t miss your chance to make more memories with your people. A micro adventure is a great way to break out of the ordinary and bring excitement back into your life and your relationships. The best part is that it’s a micro-adventure, so you can do this in a weekend! By breaking out of the day to day grind and going on a micro adventure, you can deepen existing relationships by trying something new together. So grab your partner or a friend and start looking at Maps!
Personal Growth
Challenge yourself and build resilience by stepping outside your comfort zone. As humans we have a mind loop of comfort; wake up, drive to work, drive home, go to bed, repeat. This is the routine that you may be familiar with, and you’re probably very comfortable in that routine. But when we step out of that routine, even for a day or a weekend, you begin to show yourself that you can handle change. It may sound a little silly that a weekend trip can build resilience like that, but we think you should give it a try and see what happens.
Connect with Nature
We’ve already talked about how spending time in nature is beneficial for your physical and mental health, but your spiritual health is just as important. By making time to reconnect with nature, you’re making time to reconnect with your inner self. Being in the trees (or mountains.. Or lakes..) allows you to think outside of yourself, and remember that you are never alone. But rather, you are one part of a whole.
Because it’s just plain FUN
You need more fun in your life- you just do! Bringing fun back into your life brings a lightness back in as well. Remember when you were a child, and you probably spent hours running around the yard playing tag or kick the can with your friends? For me, those are some of my most favorite memories. And you can make those memories as an adult as well- all you have to do is bring back the fun that you had when you were young. And a great way to do that is to plan a micro adventure. Get outside and start smiling :D
Ideas for micro-adventures
Hiking and Trail Exploration
Explore local trails and nature reserves
Discover hidden gems and enjoy nature walks
Try a short or long day hike
Not sure what to pack? We’ve got you covered in this guide:
Rock Climbing and Bouldering
Find nearby climbing spots
If you don’t have the skills or gear to climb outdoors, try going to a gym!
Backpacking and Camping
Plan an overnight trip to a nearby campsite in an area that’s new to you. Or go to a spot that you know you love!
If you are willing to push yourself, give backpacking a try.
Experience the joy and simplicity of sleeping under the stars. You may even be able to wish on a shooting star.
Explore new cities or small towns
Be a tourist in your own town or visit local cities and small towns that pique your interest.
Discover local landmarks, museums, and cafes.
Find a free concert- many towns and cities off these activities in the summer months.
Check out a craft fair or a farmers market.
Nature Walks Locally
Explore nearby forest, lakes, or coastal areas.
Observe wildlife and appreciate the natural beauty.
Be home in time for dinner!
Other Adventure Activities
Try kayaking, paddle boarding, or geocaching.
Go on a sunrise or sunset photography adventure.
Try birdwatching.
Go on a sunset cruise around a local body of water. See if you can rent a boat or kayak if tours aren’t available!
Where will your next adventure take YOU?
Taking the courageous step to try a micro adventure has many benefits for your physical health, your mental health, and your relationships with others and yourself. So where will you go next weekend for your micro adventure?
Let us know in the comments, and remember that adventure awaits right outside your door- no need to travel far to enrich your life with the benefits of fun, adventure, and novelty.
