Summer is finally here. It is the time of year for soaking up all of that gorgeous vitamin D and is the best season to try something new. This is especially true when it comes to outdoor activities. The weather is great and is the absolute perfect temperature for you to try your hand at something you’ve never done before. The longer days mean more time for trying things, so here are 6 things we recommend you try this Summer.

1. Paddle Boarding

Paddle boarding is a great activity for everyone. It is for people of all ages, sizes, and shapes, and is great to do with others, or just by yourself. It can really help you increase your balance and is beneficial for your physical and mental health. It gets you outdoors and, on your feet, which is really important after a long cold Winter spent locked away indoors. It is great for reducing your stress levels in a low-impact exercise sort of way.

Exercise reduces your cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone, but most people don’t like getting all hot and sweaty in the gym. This activity allows you to calmly paddle down a river, canal, or in the ocean, gently relieving stress. It creates a great space for meditation, too. If you are thinking “Well, this sounds great.

Where can I go paddle boarding near me?” we are glad to hear it. Realistically, you can go paddle boarding on any body of water. We would recommend that you start out somewhere with calmer waters, just to get the hang of your balance, but otherwise if there’s water, there’s a place to paddle.

2. Photography

Photography is one of those hobbies that people think you have to be talented in order to enjoy, but this is not the case. Photography is about recording the world through your eyes and capturing things the way you see them. It is incredibly rewarding, because the more you do it, the better you get. This is the case with any hobby, but unlike other hobbies, you can physically see the difference with your eyes.

You can take photos of absolutely anything. As you continue to take photos, you’ll find that there might be a certain subject that you gravitate towards more than others. This can be anything from birds to cars, people’s pets, people, natural beauty, or even architecture. It’s up to you to figure this out. You don’t have to feel like you must stick with one subject matter. You can photograph as many different things as you like.

Maybe you aren’t too concerned with the subject matter, but rather the composition and playing around with light. The world is filled with things to photograph. You don’t have to have a fancy camera to take photos either. The best camera is the one you have with you, and most smartphones these days have such good cameras anyway.

3. Camping or Glamping

Camping is one of those activities best done with friends and family. It is a great way to detach and get away from the stress of everyday life. You can enjoy the comforting sun and sounds of nature in the company of people you genuinely enjoy. Yes, you can camp at any time of the year, but it’s especially great during warmer months, it’s a great little getaway, especially during the summer.

Every hobby comes with a bit of investing, and camping is no different. You can definitely rent equipment the first time to see if you like it or not, but if it’s a regular activity, we recommend you buy the necessary equipment.

If you like the idea of camping, but can’t stand the thought of sleeping in a tent, there’s always glamping. Glamping is where camping and modern luxury collide. It is a great way to experience being in nature without having to sacrifice any of the creature comforts you wouldn’t have if you were sleeping in an ordinary tent.

4. Cycling

Cycling is another one of those really diverse on this list. You can do it around your neighborhood, or you can take your bike to the mountains and do a little mountain biking and exploration. There is a type of cycling for everyone and anyone and, regardless of the type you choose, you’ll end up enjoying the outdoors and getting a little bit of exercise. It is an excellent way to relieve stress and get your blood pumping.

5. Try a New Sport

Summer is a time of change. Many people use it, more so than winter, as a time of metamorphosis. It is a great time to transform your body into something new. There are plenty of local places where you can go to try something new. Consider joining a team, or a club where you can not only learn but bond with others who enjoy the sport, too.

If you don’t like the idea of team sports, there are plenty of one-man sports you can play, too. Grab a friend and learn how to play tennis or badminton.

6. Climbing

Something many people are curious about but are too self-conscious to try is climbing. People are natural climbers. As kids, most of us wanted to climb the tallest trees, but we were cautioned against falling, which made us fearful of doing it. Climbing gives you a full-body workout. You can use a climbing wall, or you can join a rock-climbing club outdoors.

If you decide to pick this as a hobby, we recommend that you start climbing indoors and don’t go straight to the nearest rockface. It’s one of those hobbies that is best to start slow and build your way up. You’ll see results pretty quickly.

There are so many different hobbies that you can choose from this summer. We hope that we’ve made it easier for you to decide and to narrow down which you’d like to try. By all means, make the best of your summer and try out the lot.