Going outside in hot weather can feel oppressive, suffocating and, well, not that fun. But with a little preparation and thought the hot seasons can be just as enjoyable as their cooler counterparts.

But how do you dress, eat, and play to make that happen? In this episode of Humans Outside, Joe Jacobs, cycling enthusiast and owner, owner of ArkansasOutside.com joins us from the hot humid state of Arkansas in the southern U.S. to share his best tips and tricks for getting outside and having a great time no matter how hot the weather gets.

[3:37] Joe Jacob’s favorite outdoor space

[4:32] How Joe became someone who likes to go outside

[6:26] What Joe does outside now

[7:42] Just how hot is it in Arkansas?

[9:28] How to get used to that heat

[12:04] Is heat harder than cold?

[13:45] How to dress for the heat

[15:44] Why cotton is all the evil

[18:04] Comfort is key

[21:01] Baggy vs fitted clothes

[23:22] Finding the breeze

[24:58] The power of a fan

[26:02] The power of cold towels

[28:51] The importance of snacks

[34:01] Did you forget a hat?

[34:56] OK but what should you do when it’s hot?

[40:44] You really will get used to it

[41:34] Joe’s favorite outdoor gear

[44:13] Joe’s favorite outdoor memory

When both schools is out and so is the sun, it can feel like a waste to spend the day inside. But soaring temperatures can make getting outside just seem so hard — especially if you’re trying to take children with you for more than just some fun in the backyard.

How do you get outside with kids in the heat, avoid the meltdowns — literally and figurative — and have an enjoyable and enriching time?

Adventure mom India Tate makes a lifestyle of getting out for adventures with her two little boys. And since she lives in Atlanta, Georgia, she knows what hot looks and feels like. In this episode she shares her best tips and tricks for making it through hot adventures with her family.

[2:44] How India Tate became someone who likes to go outside

[6:12] How she started getting her kids outside, too.

[8:35] Mini golf league?

[10:24] Keeping kids cool through what they wear

[14:57] Keeping it cheap

[16:40] All about shoes

[18:00] We are strongly pro-snack

[23:40] Tricky water and hydration

[27:27] Getting ready for that hot weather

[32:48] Tricks for hot summer day fun

[38:40] How to get ready for all kinds of heat

[44:19] Favorite outdoor gear

[46:57] India’s favorite outdoor moment

 

With warm temperatures and all the sunshine, Amy is ready for summer in Alaska. And she knows summer is the perfect time for you to try two outdoor-related challenges. Hear what they are and how you can get involved in this episode of the Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.

[:45] One thing to know about Amy

[1:12] Secret background of the original Humans Outside challenge

[2:09] Something for you to think about

[3:00] Where to find more about the Humans Outside challenge

[3:15] A new challenge for everyone around Memorial Day

[3:35] Why Memorial Day is important to Amy’s family

[3:50] The point of Memorial Day

[4:25] How you can mark Memorial Day

 

Simple and Easy Ways to ‘Rewild’ Your Life by Going Outside (Micah Mortali)

It can be easy to think of practices like rewilding and mindfulness as being habits of only extra-zen, nature-based people. But if you’re someone who likes to go outside or is building an outdoor habit, they are probably already a part of what you’re doing, at least a little.

So how can you do it more? And if you don’t think you’ve added them, how can you make them happen while balancing a modern life?

In this episode Micah Mortali, rewilding expert and dean of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership, shares his insights and tips of rewilding, mindfulness and even meditation. Author of the book “Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature,” Micah’s extra-practical tips make a rewilding habit accessible for any outdoor-lover.

[1:52] Why this recording is a little different

[2:41] Micah Mortali’s favorite outdoor space

[4:41] Amy’s regular moment of mindfulness

[5:16] What Micah thinks about that moment

[6:34] How Micah became someone who likes to go outside

[9:32] The spiritual connection of nature and how it’s weird some religions are confused

[10:55] Other Christian faith traditions and nature

[13:42] What is “rewilding?”

[20:45] How a nature draw plays out for city-dwellers

[23:35] Mindfulness and task-focus in nature

[29:56] The challenge of meditation for focused people

[32:22] How rewilding and mindfulness fit into a daily nature habit

[37:02] What the pandemic taught us about rewilding

[40:27] Simple tips for rewilding and mindfulness in nature

[42:47] Micah’s favorite outdoor moment

Don’t like what’s going on outside? Wait awhile, power through and it will change. That’s just part of the truth about seasons Amy is clinging to — and an important lesson she’s learned — as she deals with a fresh running injury.

How does heading into nature and understanding outdoor seasons help with the rest of our lives? Hear about it in this episode of Amy’s regular Humans Outside Outdoor Diary.

[:45] Good and bad habits

[1:10] The problem with ankles

[1:50] What Amy missed this month

[2:20] Things learned instead

[2:30] Risk is inevitable

[2:52] Get friends like this

[3:35] The important thing about seasons

[4:02] The good and not so good things about fireweed

Depending on your background of using nature and heading outside, you might think of spending time outdoors as something you go do instead of something that’s on the other side of your front door.

And if you do make a habit of going into the nature that’s close to home, you might be tempted to think that the same-old, same-old isn’t as good as shaking it up and going somewhere news and different.

Dr. Kathleen Wolf has made a career of researching human use of nature and its benefits as a research social scientist at the school of environmental and forest sciences at the University of Washington. She joined in Season 3 for an overview of how much time in nature is really useful (spoiler alert, it’s about 20 minutes a day!). And in this episode she talks about the benefits of nearby nature and how to get the most out of it.

 

[3:54] What Kathy’s been doing since we last spoke

[7:54] What is nearby nature?
[10:31] What people think of as nature and why making generalizations isn’t a good idea

[15:23] What nearby nature factors appeal to people?

[19:44] The role of mindfulness in nearby nature

[22:45] Is there any benefit to doing the same thing in nature over and over?

[25:37] What it’s like to stare at the same tree for 70 minutes

[27:33] What Amy has learned by doing the same thing over and over again

[33:33] How people can create a great nearby nature experience no matter where they are

[41:40] Why nature is like nutrition

It’s hard to ignore the song of the returning light and warming weather — especially after a winter of darkness and cold. You aren’t just drawn to it. it’s like a magnet.

In this Outdoor Diary episode Amy discusses a series of moments that happen over the creeping of spring that let her know that summer really is right around the corner, and the days of winter are in the past.

https://humansoutside.com/podcasts/outdoor-diary-out-here-like-a-moth-to-a-flame

[:45] How dark was it really?

[:57] How you notice the darkness at all

[1:25] Hint: it’s sneaky

[1:42] The light is the ticket

[2:03] The Day of Blinding Light

[2:33] The warm and sweet day

[3:10] The day when it’s only light

[3:27] “Green Day”

[4:00] Why this matter

Among the lifestyle challenges of living in a city are finding ways to create nature spaces near your home. While many city community green spaces are in the form of parks, everything from their upkeep to ease of access varies widely. And those spaces often aren’t designed with a focus on what the community needs or who lives and plays there, creating a block for use by all.

In Washington, D.C. the organization City Blossoms is working to change that by creating garden spaces focused on youth involvement across the city. With two of their core values focused on diversity and equity, the organization partners with communities to create gardens that don’t just live in the neighborhood, but are centered around its needs.

In this episode, Rafael Woldeab, City Blossom’s executive director, shares his organization’s mission, why it matters and how outdoor-lovers anywhere can use what City Blossoms has learned to connect them with nature right where they are.

[3:54] How Rafael Woldeab became someone who likes to go outside
[5:05] Why the National Arboretum is a good example of nature inequity
[10:19] What is City Blossoms?
[18:31] Should we focus our resources on community gardens or curated garden spaces?
[20:32] Why diversity and inclusion are central to gardening
[26:23] Why do gardens matter?
[33:51] What gardening can teach you about life
[36:52] How anyone can experience the power of gardens
[44:01] Rafael’s favorite outdoor gear
[45:44] Rafael’s favorite outdoor moment

When was the last time you let curiosity be your guide as you headed outside? It can be easy to stuff that sense of wondering down and fall victim to box checking or making it to the destination. Curiosity, as cliche as it sounds, is what lets you enjoy the journey.

In this Outdoor Diary Amy explores the simple way she’s been working to let curiosity drive her decisions outside — and why you might want to do the same.

Some of the good stuff:

[:45] The destruction of a windstorm leads to curiosity

[1:21] What this meant near Amy

[1:50] Getting dirty and into it

[2:26] Adults are bad at this

[2:46] What might happen if you’re fueled by wondering

[3:13] Why Amy is thinking about this

[3:54] Following curiosity to a debris field

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