3 reasons to get outside in winter
With snowy deluges and polar vortices, you might feel inclined to hunker down until spring. But winter is a wonderful time to get outdoors!
Hundreds of winter enthusiasts came out this year to celebrate the season at the Festival of Fire and Ice in Ithaca, New York. Every year, our New York Field Office partners with the local Ithaca Children’s Garden to put on a day of winter fun, filled with snow climbing and massive bonfires. For participants of all ages, the takeaway of the day was the many reasons to get outdoors in the winter months.
Here is some motivation for you to get out and enjoy the winter weather!
1. Health benefits
Winter is an infamous time for doctor’s visits and tissue overloads. The cold and flu bombard schools and workplaces, and mental health concerns like Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, become all too common. As the days shorten, the sky darkens, the temperature drops, and more and more people become sequestered indoors. It’s no wonder that so many illnesses run rampant during the winter months. But spending time outdoors can be a cheap and easy remedy to some of winter’s common ailments.
The health benefits of fresh air, time outdoors, and physical activity are well documented. These health boosts are especially important throughout the winter. Getting out of crowded schools and claustrophobic rooms is one way to protect kids and adults from the spread of cold and flu germs. Plus, time spent walking, running, hiking, or hunting can boost your mental and emotional health. In fact, a recent study found that a mere five minutes in nature is all it takes to improve your mood. These days, many doctors are even writing “park prescriptions” for their patients, recommending that those who suffer from various illnesses spend time outside for some natural medicine. A few minutes a day in the fresh winter air can do wonders for your health!
2. Changes in scenery
Another benefit of wintertime outdoors is the different scenery and wildlife that you can discover. While our state parks and wildlife refuges are popular in the warmer months, far too few visitors only experience a season or two in these natural wonderlands. Many people might mistakenly believe that winter is a barren time for our landscapes, but many streams, lakes, and woods take on a beautiful appearance in the cold and snow. You’ll be amazed by the transformations of your familiar wild spaces!
And just as you might assume that there’s little scenery to see in a month like February, you might also think that all of the interesting wildlife has disappeared into hibernation or southern migration. But winter provides an exciting opportunity to catch a glimpse of many wild creatures that you might not otherwise see.
The sparse vegetation and snowy backdrop can make it much easier to spy elusive creatures or follow their tracks.
And migration patterns, especially those of birds, can bring rare wildlife to your backyard. The snowy owl, for instance, is a beautiful bird that spends most of its year in the Arctic circle. But in the winter, this marvelous migrant can be spotted throughout the northeast in wide-open, snowy spaces. You could spend your winter indoors looking at a screen, or you could get outside to see the season’s amazing cast of characters.
3. Avoid the crowd
While summer and spring certainly have their upsides, wintertime can provide some relief. At many outdoor hot spots, warmer weather brings massive crowds. It can be hard to enjoy a day at a Long Island beach when you are fighting heavy traffic, jostling for the last parking spot, or bumping elbows with hundreds of your closest neighbors. But in winter, many of the best outdoor spots like wildlife refuges remain open without the accompanying annoyances of overcrowding.
And while outdoor enthusiasts understand the importance of all native wildlife to a healthy ecosystem, that doesn’t mean that every wild creature you meet in the summer is your favorite species. Many populous species in the summer months include pesky or even dangerous insects like ticks. Luckily, once temperatures drop near the freezing point, you don’t have to worry about the health hazards of ticks or the annoyance of other bugs.
Even the much-maligned winter weather can actually save you from dealing with some other weather hazards. Excessive heat and overexposure to the sun can be serious threats to an enjoyable summer’s day; at worst, these extremes can lead to dehydration and other health complications, and at best, they can land you glued to your air conditioner while the sunny day passes you by. In winter, on the other hand, the right attire and proper preparation can keep you cool and comfortable in the cold. You might be surprised to find how much you, your kids, and your pets enjoy the refreshing winter chill.
As long as you are safe, careful, and prepared, there are plenty of reasons to get outside in winter, and no reason not to!
