How to Spend More Time Outdoor in the Winter
It’s not easy to spend as much time outside in the winter as you would in the spring and summer. It’s colder, darker and there’s much more to think about with Christmas just around the corner. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t head outdoors and embrace the wonders that winter has to offer.
We’ve put together some few handy tips to help encourage you to spend more time outdoors during the chilly season - because being happy and healthy never goes out of fashion.
Find a reason to be outside
If you’re struggling to find the motivation to get outside this winter, why not find something that gives you a little extra encouragement? Volunteering to help walk dogs for those who can’t get outside in the winter, or doing sponsored fundraising for a local charity are just two of many great ways you can inspire yourself to spend more time outdoors – as well as helping a great cause.
Wake up earlier
Darker evenings are a big contributing factor to people spending less time outside in autumn and winter, so why not counterbalance your levels of sunlight by waking up a little earlier? Winter is typically a time that may take a toll on your mental health, research has found that a lot of people are generally unhappier in the winter – with 60% of a survey from ‘Chemist 4 U’ reporting that darker mornings make them feel down. The good news, however, is that many studies have proven that getting up earlier helps to reduce stress and anxiety by giving you more time to process the day, plus it gives you a little more time in the mornings to head outside and embrace some beautiful winter sunrises. Why not try it out and see how it makes a difference to your day?
Set yourself a challenge
If you’re in need of some inspiration to get yourself up and out in the winter, why not set yourself a personal challenge? The default number of steps that should be taken each day is around 8000-10,000, as recommended by various health charities. Why not test yourself against that? There are lots of wearable pedometers on the high street, from basic to advanced, so why not set yourself a challenge and start monitoring your steps? You’ll be looking forward to your winter walks in no time. Alternatively, you could even sign up for a challenge walk that’ll help keep you motivated throughout the autumn and winter (and then through to the spring and summer too).
Explore new places
Thanks to Christmas, there’s always plenty to do in the winter. Being ‘outside’ doesn’t just mean walking through the countryside. You can also spend time exploring new places such as Christmas markets and local events as well as what nature has to offer too. Why not head somewhere new at least once a week throughout the winter season? It’ll help you to spend more time outside, as well as keeping you healthy and happy.
If we look beyond chilly temperatures, we can embrace the outdoors – it’ll surely make cosy-ing up by the fire in your forever home all the more inviting afterwards.
How do you make sure you’re spending enough time outside? Let us know your best tips on Twitter or Facebook.