The winter can be hard – days are shorter and colder, and for some of us, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) begins to kick in. Making time to go outside can keep our mood up and our bodies healthy. Yes, even in the winter.
Why should you make time to go outside in the winter?
- Going outside in cold weather can increase your energy for hours!
- You can breathe easier in brisk air.
- You can engage in different kinds of play! Build snowmen, make snow angels, have snowball fights… get creative with it!
- You can challenge your body with winter-only past-times, such as ice skating.
- The stress hormone, cortisol, is actually lower in your body in winter – spending time outside in cold weather can decrease your stress and increase your happiness.
- Your immune system is more activated in cold weather, helping you fight infections more effectively!
- You’re more likely to tackle cognitive problems in cold weather – it improves your brain function and helps you think more clearly!
- The cold air acts as an ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammation in your joints.
- Exercising is easier in cold temperatures – we’re even faster in cold weather!
- Lastly, the winter sun can still give us a good dose of vitamin D to help fight off SAD, depression, and insomnia.
How can you connect with nature this winter?
- Have a snowman-building competition! The better snowman wins, or whoever finishes first wins – you decide!
- Blow bubbles in below freezing (-32 degrees Fahrenheit) weather. They’re harder to pop and quite pretty!
- Take a black sheet of paper outside and catch snowflakes! Use a magnifying glass to appreciate their intricacies and uniqueness.
- Fill spray bottles with environmentally-friendly food coloring and water and create your masterpiece in the snow!
- Invite family and friends over for a bonfire! Who doesn’t live sitting next to a warm fire and telling stories when it’s cold outside?
- Gather pinecones, acorns, and other winter materials to make your own decorations (like a wreath!). Cover them in glitter, string them up… the possibilities are endless!
- Dry fruit and turn it into garland!
- Freeze some water in different shapes – maybe even make an ice sculpture.
- Get a nature-themed coloring book. Artistic expression can be therapeutic!
- Go to the zoo! Admission can be cheaper in the winter because of the low traffic.
Take time to heal this winter. It’s been a long year – it’s okay to hibernate! Just make sure not to get stuck in the rhythm of staying indoors and isolating yourself – it can be far too easy sometimes. Take your breather and then contact your friends and family, make plans, and get outside.
Make an effort to get outside this winter – I promise, if you dress correctly, it’s actually fun!