I used to be the first person to hide from cold weather! I don’t like feeling cold, and even when I’m in the house, I like wearing long sleeves, house slippers, and sometimes a fuzzy robe. Add in temperatures below 50, and you’d be hard-pressed to get me to step outside the house, except to run a random errand or two.
This past December, after watching a mom and her twin toddler girls bundle up and take a walk outside in the cold rain (while one of the tots gleefully pushed along a doll stroller), I came to realize that The Great Outdoors is very all seasons! Hiding indoors for 3 months (or actually less, since our area doesn’t really get a true winter) is not the plan. Bikes can be ridden, walks can be taken, and fun can be had outdoors, in any weather, with just a bit of preparation. Here are some tips to help you and your family get outside, embrace the cold, and make the most of the winter season!
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Layer it up! Layering (which doesn’t mean adding a third comforter to your bed) is a word often thrown around in wintertime for people who wish to enjoy the chilly outdoors but don’t want to feel cold. Of course, there’s no reason to go all in with snowsuits and galoshes, but adding a few warm (but not too heavy) garments to the wardrobe might serve you well. Likewise, it might be useful to invest in a poncho, which you can find at Walmart for a few bucks, for when our winter sky decides to shed some rain.
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Take a thermos of warm soup with you. When you’re planning to venture into the wintry weather, fill a thermos with warm chicken noodle soup or your favorite winter chowder to bring on your journey. The soup is sure to be a treat once you get outside, and you won’t have to constantly think about running home to your warm socks and hot chocolate.
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Explore a new park. Make it your plan to explore a new park each week. The Woodlands has dozens of beautiful parks, many with abundant trees to keep the heat in. A walk in the park during winter can be just as lovely as one in the spring, as long as you’re wearing the right attire.
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Set up a warm spot on your porch. Bring some chairs and a blanket (or two) outside, and spend an hour or so observing the beauty of nature. If you don’t have a porch, create a spot on your balcony or deck. You don’t have to be “fully immersed” in the cold to enjoy it.
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Have a penguin picnic. Bundle up and head out for a lunch outdoors. If you go now, you won’t have to wait until spring hits, and the ants are less likely to invade your food party.
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Mentally prepare yourself the day before. Choosing to go on an outing can be difficult, especially when it’s promising to be chilly. By deciding in advance to go out regardless of temperature, you’ll put yourself in the right mindset. If you’ve already resolved that “Yes, it will be cold, but we’re going to make the most of our outing,” you’re less likely to call it off once you wake up and see the weather is 45 degrees.
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Invite others. Laughter and the presence of others will make you feel warm and cozier! Invite friends and neighbors to bundle up and take a late evening hike together around the block.
- Name one good thing. Every time you go outside in the cold, take a moment to name one good thing that you like about being outside in the chilly weather. It’s a simple idea, but making the effort to find something that you enjoy helps to put you in an appreciative mindset.
