Top 10 Ways Solicitors Can Fit Outdoor Time Into Their Schedule

The words summer and holiday go hand in hand, however in the legal profession, it’s business as usual making it difficult for solicitors to fit some outdoor time into their busy working week. With back-to-back client meetings, court deadlines, and inbox overload, the idea of finding time to step outdoors may seem almost impossible.

But incorporating outdoor time into the working day isn’t being self-indulgent—there are some great benefits such as supporting long-term focus, wellbeing and productivity.

Small changes to your daily routine can create valuable pockets of time in the fresh air. Here are our top 10 simple yet effective strategies to help you, as a solicitor, fit more outdoor time into your schedule.

The benefits of outdoor time

As we touched on in the introduction, spending time outdoors offers a multitude of physical and mental health benefits. And this is backed up by countless studies. According to one such study, the average person spends just 7% of their time outdoors during the working week. And another interesting report found that 80% of us find spending time in green spaces makes us healthier and more energetic, while 70% of those surveyed stated that they felt better physically and mentally.

But let’s look at this from a science perspective. In last few decades alone, it has been well documented that exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep cycles, reduces stress, and supports mood balance.

Honing in on the sleep cycle, have you heard of ‘morning light’? This practice involves exposure to daylight first thing in the morning for at least 10-20 minutes before 9am and is scientifically proven to regulate our circadian rhythm or natural body clock. According to a Cork GP, Dr Doireann O’ Leary, “The light hitting the back of our eyes (the retina) sends signals to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain signalling that it’s morning and time to wake up. This triggers a peak in cortisol which is meant to spike in the morning to support alertness and wakefulness.”

Furthermore, even short periods outside can improve concentration and reduce the mental fatigue often caused by screen-heavy work. Daylight is also a vital source of vitamin D, which plays a key role in maintaining bone health, supporting immune function, and boosting energy levels. However due to our geographical location, low levels of Vitamin D are widespread in the general population of Ireland. This highlights the importance of grabbing every opportunity to get out in the sun (with our SPF of course).

For solicitors dealing with high-pressure workloads, all of these benefits are essential from both a personal and professional standpoint.

So without further ado, let’s dive into our top ten ways that you can include more outdoor time throughout your working week.

How to fit outdoor time into your schedule 

1. Start the Day with a Short Walk

One of the simplest ways to get outdoor time into your routine is to begin the day with a walk—no matter how short. Whether it’s a brisk ten minutes around the block or a slightly longer stroll with a coffee in hand, getting natural light in the morning can support cognitive alertness and help reset your internal clock. It’s also a good opportunity to mentally plan the day ahead, without the distractions of screens or notifications. You could pop on the headphones and listen to your favourite podcast, or simply tune into the natural sounds of your surroundings. Either way, it’s the getting outdoors that counts!

2. Take Calls on the Move

Mobile phones can be both a blessing and a curse however the phrase “killing two birds with the one stone” springs to mind. Not every call demands a desk and a screen – it’s great to have the technology to make calls whilst on the go. Client catch-ups or collaborative chats with colleagues can often be taken while walking. By stepping outside for one or two calls each day, you can blend fresh air into your workday without losing any billable time. A hands-free headset can help ensure you stay focused and comfortable while on the move.

3. Reclaim the Lunch Break

With such a hectic schedule, it’s not uncommon for solicitors to eat lunch at their desks while catching up on emails or reviewing files. However, this can be quite counter-intuitive, particularly when it comes to nutrition and health. But even a 15-minute break outdoors can serve as a powerful mental reset. Try eating outside when the weather allows or take a stroll before or after lunch. The change in environment offers a much-needed boost to both mood and concentration levels.

4. Block Out Outdoor Time in the Calendar

What gets scheduled, gets done. According to a recent HR study, 23% of employees use time blocking in their calendar to ensure a task or activity is completed. By proactively blocking time in the diary—even if it’s just 20 minutes every other day—you are more likely to commit to stepping away from your desk. This might be framed as “strategic reset time” or “walking review” if the idea of a traditional break feels too indulgent during peak periods. Treat it as non-negotiable and the habit will form more easily.

5. Create an Outdoor-Friendly Workspace

Do you have days where you can work from home? If you’re lucky enough to have access to a balcony, patio, courtyard or even a nearby park, consider setting up a makeshift workstation outdoors. A quiet bench or shaded table can serve as an alternative location for reading through case files or drafting notes. Being in natural surroundings—however briefly—can offer a refreshing change of setting and help reduce screen fatigue.

6. Schedule Outdoor One-to-Ones

Technology has transformed the way we communicate, making what was once impossible now a reality. However, there’s no harm in going back to basics and opting for a more traditional ‘walk n’ talk’. Rather than holding every team catch-up in a meeting room or over Zoom, why not take one-to-one discussions outdoors? A walking meeting around the block can feel more relaxed and foster better dialogue, particularly when navigating sensitive topics or giving feedback. It also encourages a more human connection—which is something that is important to solicitors and  clients alike.

7. Use Transitional Time Creatively

When it comes to saving time, it’s all about being creative. The moments between meetings, before or after court appearances, or during travel gaps can often be reclaimed for outdoor time. Rather than retreating to the car or the office during these in-between periods, stepping out for a short walk or simply taking a few moments in a nearby green space can help decompress the day and bring clarity to the next task.

8. Incorporate Outdoor Time Into Daily Errands

On top of our work commitments, everyone has daily errands to run – and solicitors are no different—be it posting documents, grabbing a coffee, picking up stationery or even personal ones. Where possible, choose to walk these short journeys instead of driving. These small, functional outings can add up to a meaningful amount of outdoor exposure over the course of the week, without needing to carve out additional time. And as a bonus, you’re actually doing something good for the environment by travelling on foot instead by car.

9. Make Outdoor Time a Team Effort

Creating a culture that values time outdoors can start small—perhaps with a weekly walk-and-talk, a shared morning stroll, or a friendly step challenge among colleagues. By encouraging others in your firm to join in, you can build habits that are not only beneficial personally but also reinforce wellbeing at a team level, creating a more positive working environment. Shared experiences outdoors can help strengthen internal connections and boost morale.

10. Finish the Day with Fresh Air

Even at the end of a long day, five or ten minutes outdoors can provide a clean mental break between work and home life. For those working remotely or in hybrid roles, this is especially important. A short walk, time in the garden, or even standing outside while listening to a podcast can help mark the transition between work and play. Moreover, it promotes better rest and recovery ahead of the next working day.

Creating Space for outdoor time

Juggling heavy workload and navigating tight timelines are part and parcel of legal practice, with very little free time leftover. However, creating room for outdoor time doesn’t require a full lifestyle overhaul. By trying even just a few of the tips we have shared above, you can reap the rewards of getting some time ‘al fresco’ as they say in Italian! Benefits such as reducd stress, improved focus, better quality sleep all lead to better outcomes for you, your clients and colleagues.

Looking for More Ways to Improve your wellbeing?

And if you’d like to learn more about improving your wellbeing, why not check out our webinar, Enhancing Solicitor Wellbeing: Health & Fitness Strategies with Karl Henry here.

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