Gardening, cleaning, and organizing
Spring is all about new beginnings. In Russia, this means two things: those lucky to have a countryside residence known as dacha start to work in their garden; and everyone else will have to be content with a thorough cleaning of their apartment.
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Both activities, as you can imagine, require quite a bit of energy, but it’s so worth it. So, if you have a friend who needs some help in their огород (ogorod – “garden”) – for example, with planting potatoes, which typically happens in May – don’t say no. Working with your hands outside can be quite satisfying, especially if you’re used to a more sedentary lifestyle.
Alternatively, sign up for a субботник (subbotnik) – a Saturday gathering during which the locals clean up their neighborhood by picking up trash or raking the leaves.
Or simply declutter, organize, and clean your place, including tough spots like the refrigerator and windows, for a fresh start this season.
Play with a frisbee or a ball
I know, we enter a dangerous territory – this kind of sounds like sports and we promised it’d be out of the question. But the thing is, physical activity doesn’t have to equal a workout – even if it involves some sports equipment.
You can play with it however you want, without rules or keeping a score. Just throw a ball or a frisbee with a friend or two without any expectations. I assure you, it’s going to be more fun than it sounds. Or, if you need some structure, play a game from your childhood!
Go shopping or curate your own city tour
As we’ve mentioned before, no matter how much we love buying stuff on the web, offline shopping has its perks. This includes physical activity. Shopping centers are often enormous, and walking among endless aisles, picking and trying on different things sometimes feels like a workout. The whole process actually takes a lot of calories out of you!
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In case the local mall is not your cup of tea, create your own route by planning a visit to several stores in different locations. For example, go to a couple of vintage stores – or any other attractions, for that matter. Preferably, by foot or on a bike. You’ll explore the local wonders of St. Petersburg and get your heart pumping.
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Do a good deed
You can also sign up for a volunteering project you like! Chances are, this will require some physical activity, too, so you’ll kill two birds with one stone (my apologies for a morbid proverb when speaking about charity). For example, you can go to an animal shelter and take some dogs out for a walk, or help organize an event. You may not be paid for it, but it’s very rewarding.
Feeling more adventurous and ready to explore nature? You might enjoy our stories on outdoor destinations and eco-paths around St. Petersburg.
