Orlando is a city full of commotion. While your life may be crazy, so is the city around you, and that can make it hard to deal with stress. The great thing about Orlando being a big city is that there are endless opportunities to de-stress outside your home and for little money!
1. Walk trails at Little-Big Econ State Forest with friends.
"Hiking" and "Florida" are usually not thought of together, but I promise once you head out into the "wilderness" you'll feel less like a Floridian. Little-Big Econ River State Park has trails for walking, biking, and even horseback riding. It's perfect for a weekend to spend a day doing a little hiking and appreciating the nature Florida has to offer.
2. Play at Jay Blanchard Park.
GiphyJay Blanchard Park is a pretty cool place near UCF that you have to go to at least once. There are trails to follow if you'd like to walk them, but there are also tennis courts and tons of room to go skating or play frisbee with friends. It's set up in a way that you can utilize the space available and tailor it to any of your interests. Want to play football? Go for it. Want to play spikeball? Even better. The opportunities are endless.
3. Do yoga at Lake Eola.
Yoga with Lake Eola and the farmer's market commotion going on behind you is the perfect way to spend your Sunday in Orlando. The best part? The payment is a suggested donation of $5, which means you can spend the morning doing yoga for a small amount of money. Plus, you'll be able to build community with other yogis who enjoy outdoor yoga!
4. Rent a kayak at UCF's Lake Claire.
One of the perks of being a student at UCF is being able to rent equipment at Lake Claire. Kayaks are one of the pieces of equipment available and it's a perfect way to get out on the water by yourself or with a friend and enjoy the outdoors. It's a great way to pass the time and disconnect from technology, but don't forget your sunscreen!
5. Read or write at a local coffee shop.
There are so many coffee shops in Orlando. I feel like I've been to so many, but I've only scratched the surface. It is so fun to find a new place and try new coffee options. Try visiting a local coffee shop and relax with a good book or even write something. Any way to get the creative juices flowing will certainly be better with coffee.
6. Visit an Orlando museum.
Museums are so fun to walk through alone or with friends. It's an easy way to start a conversation with yourself or on a date. Plus, you get to see other people's work and admire it! There are admission fees, but the Orlando Museum of Art has free admission the first weekend of every month. There's no excuse for you to miss out on visiting one!
7. Watch an outdoor movie.
Watching a movie outside never gets old, and no matter the movie, you will enjoy the night like no other. There's something about sitting outdoors on a blanket and watching a movie on a projector that you can't feel at home. You can watch movies at Central Park in Winter Park for free! The films are family-friendly and perfect for you and a group of friends to go to. You can find what movie is showing and times on their website.
There are so many ways to de-stress in Orlando and by UCF. It's important to take the time and enjoy a little break for yourself. What is great about these options is that you have an opportunity to try something new while you're living in the City Beautiful.
