Fun And Creative Ways To Stay Physically Active

by | Dec 2, 2022 | How To | 0 comments

Health professionals agree that exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Getting adequate physical activity can relieve stress, increase sleep, and boost mood. However, when it comes to being more active, many are unsure where to begin. Although some enjoy lifting weights at the gym and preparing for marathons, these may not be for everyone. Fortunately, many creative ways are available to stay fit, including the following. 

1. Swimming

Swimming is a fantastic method to remain active irrespective of whether you have access to a pool or live near a lake. Swimming boosts your heart rate and improves strengthening your muscles in the same way that jogging does, but without joint strain. However, you want to observe all necessary precautions to avoid drowning and other accidents. And if you suffer injury due to negligence, you can hire a credible personal injury lawyer. If swimming laps aren’t your thing, try water aerobics or simply treading water.

2. Skiing and snowboarding 

You can take to the slopes when the weather gets frigid. Both sports allow you to increase your heart rate and work out your muscles while experiencing an unparalleled adrenaline rush. Find the top ski resorts that are suited for you. You can hire skis and snowboards on-site if you don’t have your own.

3. All-terrain vehicle rides

Those who desire a thrill can try all-terrain vendor rides. However, this recreational activity is exceedingly risky, particularly for youngsters, who may be taken advantage of by dishonest ATV vendors. If you’re going on an ATV trip with your entire family, ensure your children are assigned an appropriate-sized vehicle. If you are unskilled, get supervision, and wear appropriate clothing and safety equipment.

4. Surfing

At a water ski shop, you can find equipment for all levels, ensuring that everyone can enjoy water skiing, from beginners trying it for the first time to experienced skiers looking to enhance their skills. Surfing is a great way to get physically active. It utilizes virtually all of your muscles, tests your balance, and works your heart and lungs. This practice also allows you to develop your mind because it needs intense attention and determination. Boogie boarding is a less intense ocean activity if you find surfing daunting.

5. Hiking 

Hiking is a somewhat challenging exercise that entails walking several kilometers on roads or trails. The duration ranges from simple half-day programs to extensive itineraries lasting more than 20 days, so keep this in mind. Hiking is a leisure activity that can be done alone, with a partner, or in a group. Nothing but your legs and a nice pair of shoes are required. The three types of hiking include; peak bagging, long-distance hiking, and day hiking. Hiking should be at the top of everyone’s list of recreational activities, as it improves cardiovascular health and keeps the body in top shape.

6. Horse riding 

Fun And Creative Ways To Stay Physically Active | Uncustomary

Horseback riding is on the more relaxed side of more daring leisure pursuits. However, you shouldn’t get in the saddle without contacting an experienced rider. As a tip, sign up for a guided trail ride if you’ve never ridden before. Even if you have previous expertise, you will benefit from speaking with a specialist about the individual horse’s characteristics.

7. Boating 

Boating may become a lifetime love, whether you want to sail on a serene lake, canoe down a peaceful river, or kayak on surging ocean waves. While some leisure pursuits on this list may necessitate the purchase of your equipment for comfort, you can rent canoes, kayaks, and sailboats.

8. Fishing 

Fishing is most likely the world’s oldest recreational activity. People have been fishing for millennia all across the planet. This sport is incredibly entertaining and addicting. It would be best to overcome your fear of attaching bait on the hook and cleaning the fish after you catch them. Keep that in mind, or bring someone who isn’t bothered by it. This recreational activity is great fun, and you can perform it in your neighborhood. Some little lakes or ponds may have enough fish to enjoy, so keep this in mind.

9. Camping 

Camping is just spending time outside, in nature, with friends and family. Walking amid breathtaking magnificence, sitting around a campfire, and sleeping beneath the stars is an unforgettable experience. Imagine waking up with the sensation of having your private piece of the world to yourself. Camping may not be everyone’s favorite, but that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable and worthwhile. You only need to prepare and pack all the essentials to make your trip more comfortable.

10. Zip lining 

Zipline is one of the many exciting leisure activities and a favorite for adrenaline junkies. It entails riding a steel rope on a protected seat or a belt between two points, usually in a valley with excellent scenery. This outdoor amusement sport is fantastic because it combines excitement, speed, and nature. Again, safety precautions are necessary since you’ll be at higher altitudes. Ensure that you are properly secured before beginning your adventure. 

11. Outdoor photography 

Photography allows others to experience the world through your eyes. Photography is one of the enjoyable indoor and outdoor leisure hobbies that everyone can do without paying a lot of money or putting in a lot of work. It is ideal for folks who enjoy capturing photographs. You can accomplish this even if you’re not a pro; you only need to capture anything that catches your attention. 

12. Playing golf

Fun And Creative Ways To Stay Physically Active | Uncustomary

Years of practice are required to master the game of golf. But if you make an effort, you will be rewarded with a fantastic short game and a robust network of fellow players. Consider taking classes if you’re just getting started. If you’re unsure if the game is for you, try it out with some pals at a mini golf course.

There are a lot of recreational activities that will help you stay physically active, but these are the top ones that are fun and interesting to try out. Staying active and fit helps to lower the risk of getting chronic diseases. It’s the ultimate way of living a good and healthy lifestyle. 

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle