How to enjoy winter
Canada is world-renowned for its snowy landscapes. Nevertheless, surveys suggest that many Canadians often feel they have to endure winter rather than enjoy it. The good news is that winter offers undeniable benefits for our health and well-being. By shifting our perspective and making a few small changes to our habits, we can turn our apprehensions about the season into something truly positive.
What if embracing the season were simply a matter of learning to appreciate it again? Here are eight inspiring ways to make the most of winter and feel good along the way.
1. Spend as much time outdoors as possible
In winter, breathing in the crisp outdoor air can be invigorating. In fact, the refreshing sensation we experience when breathing in cold air is not just in our imagination, as cold weather can significantly impact air quality and the way our bodies respond. The immediate sense of well-being we feel is the result of a combination of physiology, physics and psychology.
Physically speaking, the air can be cleaner and feel fresher, with fewer allergens, less direct air pollution and denser oxygen. Add to that the physiological boost of cold temperatures, which stimulate the heart and circulatory system, helping to clear away mental fog!
Finally, to maintain its core temperature in cold weather, the body burns energy and releases feel-good hormones such as endorphins and serotonin. These hormones are known to give your mood an instant boost.
So get outside whenever you can and enjoy the fresh air! It’s good for both your physical and mental health! Learn more about the benefits of cold air for the body and mind in our other article.
2. Dress warmly
To make the most of every outdoor outing, it’s important to dress warmly, as the cold can quickly take away the joy of being outside. The key is to dress in multiple layers, using the layering technique. This approach helps trap warm air while wicking away moisture. Invest in quality clothing and don’t forget to keep your extremities well covered: hands, feet (avoid cotton socks!), head and neck.
As the saying goes across the Atlantic, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” This old adage is especially true in Canada.
3. Make every outdoor outing enjoyable and safe
In winter, it’s not uncommon for your yard to turn into a skating rink. Just as we hesitate to hit the road when Mother Nature unleashes her winter fury, icy conditions can make us think twice about stepping outside.
For older adults and families with young children alike, going outdoors in winter can quickly become a major challenge when stairs are icy and walkways are snow-covered. Proper maintenance can help you reduce the effort involved in snow clearing and help prevent falls and injuries. A good ice melter can be applied before and during a storm to prevent ice buildup and delay ice from bonding to surfaces, not just after a heavy snowfall or freezing rain.
4. Do activities that make you happy
Skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding are all fun ways to stay active. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, take advantage of winter to explore national or regional parks, go birdwatching, visit some of Canada's most beautiful villages, discover zoos in winter or browse charming local shops rather than heading to the mall.
Indoors, here are a few simple feel-good activities to enjoy: reading, creative projects (making something with your own hands has remarkable benefits for your well-being!), inviting friends over and listening to music...
If thinking about those beautiful summer days makes you feel nostalgic, use winter as an opportunity to plan ahead: a trip, a new flower bed or a vegetable garden! These little and big pleasures are all worth planning in advance!
5. Transform the home into a cozy cocoon… and rest more
As the days grow shorter, your body naturally responds to the change. While we don't hibernate, we do tend to need more rest during the winter months. So stop fighting it and simply slow down. Let go of any guilt and make the most of these slower-paced days: prepare comforting meals, try different hot drinks, plan movie marathons at home and enjoy board game nights.
If the thought of spending more time at home makes you feel uneasy, it may be time to rethink your surroundings and create a cozy little nook just for yourself.
Sometimes, all it takes is a few simple changes to make your home feel more inviting and wonderfully snug. Add a few candles or some soft, ambient lighting, plush blankets and comfortable cushions. Swap your cotton sheets for flannel or fleece bedding that feels as soft as a teddy bear.
6. Stay in touch with loved ones
Even for those who are more than happy to hunker down at home, it’s important to remember that staying connected with loved ones, or reconnecting with them, is one of the cornerstones of good mental health. The weather shouldn’t be an excuse to lose touch. Go for a walk with friends, invite family over for dinner, plan a movie night, try a new café or finally visit that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try for ages.
Otherwise, a simple phone call or text is enough to remind the people you care about that you're thinking of them.
7. Renew lighting
In winter, it gets dark earlier. Since this can affect your mood or make certain activities more difficult, rethinking your home lighting may be a good idea. Ideally, each room should have both functional lighting and softer lighting that creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Use a variety of light sources or install dimmer switches. For brighter lighting, choose bulbs with a colour temperature similar to natural daylight (5,000 K to 5,500 K).
To create a warm, inviting atmosphere when it's time to unwind, get creative with your lighting. String lights, battery-operated candles, filament bulbs, lanterns... There's no need to save them exclusively for the holiday season or special occasions!
8. For a fun winter, rediscover your inner child!
Do you remember the joy you felt as a child when you saw the first snowflakes of the season? Back then, a fresh snowfall meant hours of fun sledding down hills, building snow forts and having epic snowball fights. It didn't mean traffic jams, poor visibility or hours of shovelling.
To make the most of winter, you need to find ways to make life easier. When road conditions are poor, ask yourself whether your planned outing can be postponed. Also, plan your trips by checking Environment and Climate Change Canada's website and following Alaskan's weather alerts on social media.
And if shovelling isn't one of your favourite activities, using ice melters properly — not just after a storm, but also before and during — can make the job much easier and leave you with more time to enjoy the snow. After all, winter fun is definitely not just for kids! Take snowball fights, for example (also known as yukigassen), which already has its own world championship and could one day become an official event at the Winter Olympics!
