why you need to start having microadventures...

the joy of microadvenutres and the health benefits they bring us

I’m lucky to say that my whole life has been filled with microadventures. Be that spontaneous afternoons exploring the Lake District, foodie days out, or picnics by the sea.

When I was younger, we’d have fun, little expeditions which would leave you feeling excited and content. I used to have school holidays filled with them and I still try to get out and have my little exploration days and weekends.

At the time, I didn’t realise that these were microadventures, but even 20 years later, some of my best memories are from these mini adventures and day trips.

A book that I go back to time and time again is Departures by Anna Hart. It’s a book that resonated with me and I’ve recommended it to so many people.

Anna writes a bit about micro-adventures, and how adventures are more a state of mind rather than the massive three-month backpacking treks around Asia (don’t get me wrong, I’d LOVE to do that but right now, it just isn’t possible). A quote that resonated with me was this;

“Adventures can be swift, they can be small and they are most definitely subjective”

I just loved this outlook on adventure. 

I’m the type of person who will say they’ve been on an adventure when, in reality, I’ve just been on a dog walk and maybe taken a slightly different route to normal. I’ve even been on an adventure if I’ve tried a different coffee shop. But isn’t that what life’s about – new experiences?

So, what are microadventures?

Alastair Humphreys, who coined the term microadventure, says;

“A microadventure is an adventure that is short, simple, local, cheap — yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing and rewarding,”

Alastair Humphreys, The Manual.com

To me, microadventures are about exploring. They’re about trying new things and being excited about things.

I’m lucky to live 20 minutes from the Lake District. A lot of my microadventures involve heading to a lake with my friends and with my dog. I go most weekends with my family and even see that as a little adventure sometimes. 

Microadventures are subjective. If something feels like an adventure to you then you’re already on an adventure!! It’s simple really!

Microadventures are good for our physical and mental wellbeing

I genuinely believe that microadventures are good for our overall health and wellbeing.

For me, adventure and exploring feed the soul. It helps clear my mind, you experience new things, meet new people. You can gain new perspectives, expand your comfort zone, and have a lot of fun.

Experiences are what make us human. Experiences are what make us all unique. And finding ways to embrace the core of adventure, and what it means to us, will help us live happier and healthier lives.

However, I think it goes even deeper than that…

A lot of microadventures will have you getting outside and active. Just being outside can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It boosts Vitamin D. Being outside can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and even reduce your chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Microadventures don’t just have to be outside, they can also be trying new things. And the health and well-being benefits of doing things outside of your comfort zone are huge.

From increasing dopamine levels, creativity, and confidence, microadventures have a huge overall benefit to your wellbeing.

It’s time to plan your next micro adventure

So are you ready to have a microadventure? Here are 13 microadventure ideas for you to try this weekend (and I would love to hear what adventures you’re heading on!)

1. Go to the circus 
   A few years ago, the circus came to town and my mum randomly went and got tickets. It was a beautiful sunny day and it felt like such an adventure. It was one of those magical summer evenings!

2. Have a picnic 
   Eating outside with a picnic is always fun. One of my favourite things to do in the summer is to go to the lake for a massive picnic. It’s always so much fun!

3. Water Water Water 
   There’s something about going to open waters which feel like an adventure. I’ve recently started wild swimming again and it’s so freeing. But if going swimming feels a bit scary, you could always try paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking!

4. Explore a different part of your home town 
   You’ll have heard the term be a tourist in your town, and this is totally it. There’s nothing more adventurous than exploring somewhere you already know and seeing it in a completely different light.

5. Sleep under the stars 
   I love stargazing and I would love to sleep under the stars. There is something so magical and adventurous about the thought of sleeping under the stars. I’d definitely download that app which shows you what all the different stars are!

6. Go on a hike 
   I’m a country girl and live in the lakes so I’ve definitely done a fair few walks in my time! The feeling of completing a walk is indescribable, you feel so fulfilled (and tired and hungry too!) and it’s such an adventure. You never know what you’re going to see and find and every walk is completely different.

7. Go to the beach 
   I love going to the beach and there the perfect place to go on an adventure whether it’s to try paddle boarding, having a picnic or open swimming; there’s so much adventure to have!

8. Have a food crawl 
   This is a personal favourite of mine. I love exploring places through the medium of food – you can learn so much about a place through their cuisine.

9. Road Trip 
   The grandaddy of adventures has to be the road trip and there’s a reason; they’re so much fun! The adventure doesn’t begin when you get to the place, it’s about how you get there too. Make your detours fun and your snack and fuel stops an adventure. Stock up on fun foods and a banging road trip playlist and make your journey an adventure too.

10. Go on a photography walk 
    Whether it’s an organised photo tour or you just take yourself on one, photography walks make you look at the world a little differently and I always find myself looking at little details. You see places in a different light and they’re fun as well. 

11. Hire a boat 
    I’ve done this with friends on our picnics; hired a boat to go on the lake. We laughed so much when we did this and found out we’re probably not the best rowers.

12. Try a different type of activity 
    Trying something new always feels like an adventure. Maybe you want to try scuba diving, paddleboarding, a new craft or learn something new? Adventures can be all shapes and sizes.

13. Go somewhere new 
    Another classic way to have an adventure – go somewhere completely new! There’s nothing more fun that going to a new place and getting to discover it for the first time.

I’d love to hear about your microadventures in the comments below!