Many individuals welcome the winter months as a period of hibernation, one where the climate dictates that it is now time to stay indoors, cosy up, and feel no guilt about hiding away. For others, however, especially nature enthusiasts, the colder season is a difficult time since being more greatly confined to indoors by lower temperatures and harsher weather means less access to nature and favoured wild landscapes.

If you fall into the latter category and tend not to enjoy the winter period for exactly those reasons, then you may be glad to know that there are many ways that you can stay both active and outdoors even as the seasons change. To do so might require a little motivation, as well as a few extra accessories, but those who find them will be able to enjoy the outdoors all year round.

Find A Winter Activity

If you’re not able to enjoy your favourite outdoor activity during the winter, it might be time to consider temporarily adopting a winter-specific alternative instead. Ice skating, snowboarding, sledding, and even ice fishing are all fantastic ways to get outdoors during the height of winter, many of which will also help you to connect with other outdoor enthusiasts, keeping you social at the same time.

Embrace The Cold

Some outdoor activities, however, don’t need to be replaced. In fact, with a little preparation, a great deal of outdoor activities can be enjoyed throughout the year. Camping, for example, while most popular during the warmer months, still sees a dedicated group of individuals who test themselves against the elements by adventuring even during colder periods. 

Another example is the wild swimming community who welcome the season wholly, embracing the frigid waters for what is known as cold water swimming. This periodic shift sees enthusiasts step into the cold and wild waters of the landscape to enjoy brief but regular swims in nature, submerging themselves in the cold water and then warming up quickly afterward. While it may seem odd to those who are unfamiliar with cold water swimming, there are actually a great deal of benefits and many wild swimmers actively look forward to the winter season instead of seeing it as a low point of the year.

Adapt Yourself

With robust clothing and the right accessories, the winter landscape can be often overcome. Runners can layer up with insulated clothing that will also draw moisture away from the body, keeping them warm as they run without trapping sweat against the skin. In the same way, bicycles can be equipped with weather-appropriate tyres and campers can equip themselves with more insulated sleeping bags, helping them to overcome the challenging climate.

There are also simple ways in which outdoor activities can be adapted, such as by individuals swapping their water bottles for an insulated alternative, or bringing along a hot beverage instead. There are also options for extra accessories too, such as heat pads and hand warmers. These lightweight items have come a long way in their design over the course of just a few years, now being quick to heat up and even rechargeable via USB.