How To Stay Active And Outdoors When The Temperatures Drop

As the winter draws ever closer, many individuals will make small adjustments to their lifestyle. Commutes are shortened, outdoor activities are put on hiatus, and garden furniture is stored for the winter period. For those who lead an active lifestyle, this can be quite the challenge, often resulting in frequent trips to the gym. While this might be a suitable option for some, there is a way that individuals can maintain their fitness regime and keep enjoying the outdoors all year round. 

Fundamentally, we must change the way we consider outdoor activities, and, instead of seeing the cold climate as an inhibitor of activities, we should begin to see it as an opportunity for new activities.

Seasonal Activities

If your local area hosts an outdoor ice skating event or has a brilliant slope for sledding and skiing, then you are well on your way to having a fun reason to get outdoors when the temperature drops, especially if there is a high chance of snow. 

Consider investing the basic equipment required to enjoy these local activities or joining a nearby social group as each investment will improve the likelihood that you will be motivated to get outdoors each week or even day.

Walking And Running

One of the most straightforward ways of keeping active when the temperatures drop is to incorporate walks or runs into your routine. These activities require little in the way of equipment, needing only a secure pair of shoes, and can be easily enjoyed during the shorter daylight hours. Stepping outdoors even for an hour can help to also regulate a body’s internal clock, ensuring that quality of sleep is maintained when spending a greater amount of time indoors.

Be sure that you remain hydrated, even when temperatures are low because the cold weather can easily trick individuals into thinking they are hydrated even when exerting themselves.

Cycling A Commute

Maintaining your commute is an ideal way to keep active during the winter months, especially if your place of work is reachable by road. Generally, roads are kept clean and covered in salt, making cycling possible even during periods of snow. As such, short trips to work or to run errands can be a great way to exert a little energy on a cold day.

Swimming For Health

Instead of heading for the swimming pool inside a gym, it might be time to embrace your inner Wim Hof and head to a nearby lake or seafront instead so that you can try cold water swimming. Doing so offers the opportunity to embrace a great workout, with the body being challenged by the water, raising heart rates and increasing blood flow. It’s also a great way to improve mental health too.

Join Societies

There are a number of groups that will remain active during the winter, whether it’s local bird enthusiasts or fishing societies. Since there is motivation in solidarity, it can be a great idea to sign up to join in such social activities and be pulled out of the indoors to join a group of like-minded others out in nature.