6 Outdoor Spaces You Can Use in the Fall
It might be fall, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your outdoor spaces. Sure, the days of splashing in the pool or lying out in the sun are long gone, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy playing outside.
As it turns out, getting outside is actually good for you: a Harvard Health Letter from 2010 reports that spending time outdoors does wonders for your physical and mental health. Side effects of playing outdoors can include elevating your mood and making you an all around happier person. Here are just a few ways to enjoy the outdoors this autumn:
Stargaze in the Backyard
The days are getting shorter, so why not make the most of it! Fill a thermos with hot chocolate and head outside to check out that glorious night sky. Don’t just peer up and head back inside; set out a blanket and lie down for at least half an hour to get the full experience. You can do this as a group activity, too: have someone read out myths about the constellations for that summer camp nostalgia feeling.
Clean Up the Garden
You’ve reaped the benefits of your garden all summer long, and now it’s time to wind things down and get ready for next season. Spend an afternoon cleaning up your garden and getting a leg up on the prep work—and who knows, with a little extra maintenance, you might even be able to stretch out the current season just a little longer.
Eat Outside
Most people think you can only eat outside in perfect summer weather, but there’s no reason to let that patio set sit empty through the fall. Bust out the cozy blankets and enjoy a candlelit dinner outside, or start your weekend off right with an outdoor brunch. The best part: most flies, wasps, and other pests are gone for the season, so you can finally enjoy an uninterrupted meal!
Get Decorating
Whether you’re crafting an over-the-top haunted house or are opting for a more subdued fall harvest scene, ’tis the season to start dressing your house up for all the holidays ahead. Decorating the exterior of your home is a win-win: you’ll spend time outside while you’re decorating, and the fun-factor will have you making excuses to head outside to enjoy it.
Build a Fire
If you don’t already have a fire pit in your yard, this could be the perfect time to get one. There’s no better way to enjoy a brisk fall evening than gathered around a fire with your favorite people. Roasting marshmallows is optional—but, of course, highly recommended.
Cozy Up on the Porch
Screened in porches or covered porches are ideal for enjoying in the fall, but we feel confident that you can make just about any porch work. Put on a comfy sweater and drag a big, warm blanket outside to build yourself the perfect nest in your favorite chair. Add in a cup of coffee and a book or a few magazines and you’ve got yourself the perfect afternoon.
