Everyone needs a holiday. And some of us far sooner than the rest, for sure. Taking a break from everything is practically a necessity, whether recharging from a difficult period of time at work or simply leaving the washing-up behind for a week or two.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to properly get away from everything, in spite of how deserving they may be. Households are increasingly short on time and shorter on cash; this doesn’t mean, though, that they need to be short on quality time away from the hubbub. While a fortnight in the Amazon rainforest might not quite be on the cards, the concept of the micro-adventure could well be the hit of nature you need.
Why Micro-Adventures?
Micro-adventures are exactly as they sound: short, sharp shots of intrepid exploration, often in your locality and with all the trappings of the good old-fashioned staycation – only more adventure-y. These appeal, naturally, to the cost-conscious, being far cheaper than more involved adventure getaways.
They are also far more accessible, being easy to arrange in locales that aren’t much more than a drive, bus, train or even a short walk away. Not only do you get to explore your surroundings and lose yourself somewhere new, but you get to do so without the trappings of organising a family trip, and without having to juggle annual leave in the process.
Popular Micro-Adventure Ideas
Your own micro-adventures can be as simple or as complex as you like – but let’s start with some simple ideas to get the ball rolling. You could keep things as simple as visiting a park near you, be it a small local reserve or a national park of international renown; no matter how local you are to such a place, there’ll always be a hidden corner you’ve not met yet.
Forest bathing is one of the better micro-adventure opportunities for the nature-curious amongst you, and also for the more highly strung amongst you; forest bathing is a form of mindfulness, affording you the opportunity to ‘get present’ in the glory of England’s natural forestry.
Tips for Planning a Micro-Adventure
Whatever kind of micro-adventure you deign to take yourself on, you’ll need to consider some essentials before you get adventuring. For one, there are essentials to prepare ahead of leaving – including sourcing the appropriate footwear, as well as some food and drink supplies for the day ahead.
If you’re spending more than an hour or two out of the house, and doing so alone at that, you should make sure to inform someone of your plans before you go. Something as simple as a sprained ankle could make coming back difficult – and you don’t want to be the only one that knows where you are in such an instance!
All told, micro-adventures are great chances to get present with the world around you, beat stress and find some well-being in the process. So feel free to grab your backpack, lace up your boots, and embark on your next adventure, no matter how small.