Winter can be a tricky season because the harsh weather conditions can make it difficult or even impossible to spend time outside. This is problematic because it is very important for people to spend time outdoors during winter for a few different reasons. Read on to find out more.
Vitamin D
One of the main reasons that it is important to spend time outside is so that you are getting vitamin D from sun exposure. Vitamin D is critical to good health yet many people struggle to get enough of this, especially in winter when there is less sun and people spend more time indoors. Even a 10-minute walk a day will help with this so make sure that you are getting outside on a regular basis.
Improve Mood
Daylight can do wonders for improving your mood by raising serotonin levels. While it may be tempting to stay inside and curl up on the sofa, you will certainly notice an improvement in your mood if you go for a brisk walk and then wrap up warm when you get home. This is particularly important for those that spend a lot of time at home or if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder. Winter can actually be a beautiful season when it is not raining so going out for a walk can be a mindful and highly enjoyable experience.
Socialising
Spending time outside is also important for socialising. People tend to hibernate in the winter which means that they are not socialising as much which can have a negative impact on their mental health. Be sure to continue socialising throughout winter even when the weather is bad.
Health
Spending time outside is also good for your health as it will help you to stay active and the fresh air can flush out bacteria from your lungs and airways (this is key in a season where there are lots of colds going around).
Being Prepared
Of course, in order to spend time outside in winter, you will need to be well-prepared. This means that you need to invest in waterproof clothing, thermals from places like Damart, sturdy footwear, warm layers and hats, gloves and scarves. This should help you to stay warm, comfortable and dry so that you can enjoy your time outside.
It is easy to stay at home during the winter months due to the conditions outside but it is actually incredibly important for your physical and mental health that you spend time outside and the above are the main reasons why you need to do so.
Which team are you in? Team snuggle at home or team go outside in winter?
This is a collaborative post
Leave a Reply