By Kelly Leslie, Student at San Francisco State University

Bright oranges, vibrant pinks, glowing yellows … the colors of spring are popping up everywhere. The sun stays out longer and is starting to break the long winter chill we are all tired of.

I don’t know about where you live, but the days in San Francisco have been so beautiful that I find it nearly impossible to stay inside, even on days when I am the busiest.

Wishing you could find some more time to soak up the sun? Here are some ideas to get you out there while staying productive.

Exercise Outdoors

What could be better than a nice, long workout? A workout in the sun! A boost of endorphins and vitamin D is a great way to get your day going. If you can’t find spare time for both exercise and fun in the sun, combine them! My activity of choice is running, but you could always go for a long bike ride if that’s not for you. Don’t have a bike? Grab a girlfriend and go for a walk around campus on your break. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with each other while exercising and enjoying the weather at the same time.

Have a Picnic

Tired of paying for meals out but still want to enjoy time with your friends? Now is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy a good-old-fashioned brown bag lunch. Make your favorite sandwich and head over to the local park in your area with some of your besties. You can even make it a potluck — just ask each person to bring their favorite lunch dish or snack and set a time that works for everyone to meet up.

Volunteer in Your Neighborhood

Have some free time and want to make good use of it outdoors? Spring time is filled with community service events to promote unity within the community while the weather is nice. Check out the website for your city and ask around for any opportunities that are happening near you. If you can’t find something but still want to get outside and make a difference, come up with your own plan! Ask some friends to go with you to do a park clean-up or even plant a community garden. The possibilities are endless.

Go Shopping Under the Sun

What better time to take advantage of an outdoor shopping mall? It’s most likely time for a seasonal outfit change, and luckily, icy weather won’t keep you from wanting to leave your house this spring. It doesn’t matter if you end up spending any money — window shopping can be just as fun. Enjoy the opportunity to get some fresh air and catch up on the latest trends in the fashion world.

Image courtesy of Paul Brentnall / FreeDigitalPhotos.net