Well, it is November, I thought. Winter is on its way.
For some, the coming of winter means a time of hibernation, of keeping indoors. For many of us, it’s just plain harder to move in the winter. Just leaving the driveway may mean a hike through a snowdrift, and then we face icy roads, sleet-covered windshields and dark drives. It’s easy to let the season pass while we watch it out the window from the couch.
For many, a combination of the lack of sunlight and so much time indoors can bring on depression and fatigue, which makes it even harder to move.
But here is my challenge to you this winter: do more. Resist the urge to hibernate, rise to greet the season and get moving toward an adventurous, daring, fun winter.
It’s often hard to think of fun things to do on a gloomy winter day, so I am offering up twelve of my favorite ways to have a more adventurous winter. Enjoy!
1. Go on Sunday afternoon hikes
The best thing about Sunday afternoon winter hikes is the feeling you have when you come home and warm up. Not only are the woods beautiful in winter, with stunning frozen creeks and falls, but you’ll get plenty of fresh air and exercise before coming back home to nice dry clothes and a cup of hot chocolate. If your fingers and toes get a little numb, they’ll warm up in time, I promise!
2. Cultivate a new skill in your garage/basement/spare room
Whether you’re woodworking, fixing up an antique car or trying your hand at painting, create a new workstation for yourself and spend some time there this winter. Try to make your workstation as bright as possible and bring in heat if necessary. Get out the old project you’ve let sit all this time and make it your goal to finish it this winter!
3. Find a coffee and sunrise spot
The sunrise is earlier now that we’ve turned our clocks back, and there is nothing more beautiful or inspiring than a winter sunrise. If you have extra time in the morning, find a place nearby where you can watch the sunrise either from your car or (if you’re brave!) outside. Make time to sip coffee and watch the sunrise a few times a week.
4. Volunteer your snow shoveling skills
Find one person who struggles to shovel their driveway or sidewalk and help them out in heavy snows. If you’re in a safe spot, put in earbuds with your favorite music, bundle up, and make it a fun workout. I guarantee you will feel warm and happy after this exercise.
5. Learn to ski or snow board
If you want to have an adventurous winter, there is nothing better than learning an epic new outdoor skill. If you’re nervous, take baby steps. Buy a sled and hit some big local hills first. Then, sign up for a beginner skiing class. Who knows? You may love it so much that you’re sad when spring arrives!
6. Practice drifting in an empty parking lot
If you are at all nervous about driving on icy roads, I recommend this exercise! Find an empty, snowy parking lot and practice braking, sliding and gaining control of your car. This is not just for fun but will give you more confidence for winter driving. If you can squeeze a few donuts in, bonus points!
7. Get to know your neighbors
This winter, make the trek through the snow to the folks next door. If you can, bring a plate of cookies or some pumpkin bread. Chances are, they’re at home hibernating too and could benefit from some community and company. If you already know your neighbors, level up to the local nursing home or hospital. You could be the best part of someone’s cold winter day.
8. Learn to dance
OK, I’m a ballroom dance instructor so maybe this is cheating, but I fell in love with dancing in the winter, and it’s truly the best season to learn. There is nothing like coming out of the ballroom after a few hours of dancing and cooling off in the icy air. Plus, you’ll meet so many new people!
9. Make a fire on the shore of a frozen creek
There is nothing like fire to cheer one’s spirits on a frigid day, and if you can make one outdoors by a body of water, you just won winter. Warm up and enjoy the beauty of the season.
10. Explore a cave
This one is still on my list. The Ohio Caverns, located in West Liberty, allow you to travel about 100 feet underground to stunning, well-lit caves. No one wants to spend a bright summer day underground, so winter is your season! Pick a gloomy day and spend it checking out the stalactites and stalagmites of Ohio’s incredible underground world.
11. Take your exercise routine outside
When I was little, my older brother Brian and I poured over survival books and magazines. I remember a book Brian read about an early exploration trip to Antarctica. Facing dangerous subzero temperatures, the explorers did the opposite of huddling inside their tents or beside fires. Instead, they took snow baths in the morning to condition their bodies to the cold. While I don’t necessarily recommend snow baths, I do believe you can condition and toughen your body, making it more impervious to the cold. Do a portion of your daily workout outside, even if it’s just running around the block. Own winter – don’t let it own you!
12. Become a winter person
If you ask most people what their favorite season is, most will probably say fall, spring or summer. (I’m a fall person). You won’t hear from many winter people. But honestly, there is so much to love about winter: breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, blankets of beautiful snow, a fresh crisp feeling in the air, and so many opportunities for fun and adventure. This year, embrace your inner hardiness and make winter your favorite season.