11 Ways to Connect With Nature During the Winter

Feeling cooped up this winter and looking for something new and fun to do? It’s time to get outside and reconnect with nature. Spending time in nature can provide you with many health benefits, see below. This article gives you 11 fun and different ways to connect with nature during the winter.

Benefits of Nature Connection

• Connect with Nature for the Mind. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as, promote mental clarity and increase overall happiness.

• Connect with Nature for Health. Research has shown that spending time outdoors has numerous health benefits and it is hoped that doctors will begin to prescribe exposure to greenspace as part of their health care regimen. Spending time in nature can improve your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, reduce stress, and lower high blood pressure, among many other benefits.

• Connect with Nature for the Environment. The more time we spend in nature, the more conscious we are about protecting the environment. We also are more inclined to do something about it. Climate change and global warming are having devastating effects on the diversity of our ecosystems and the species within them, as well as, the many effects on humans (more severe weather patterns, drought, wildfires, food security, etc).  We all can make a difference. Let’s do it for our children and for our children’s children!

Please visit our article, Connect with Nature for Happier Healthier Families, for more information.

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.

John Muir

11 Ways to Connect with Nature During the Winter

1. TAKE A DAILY WALK OR JOG

Move your body and get fresh air every day. It is great for your body and your mind. It doesn’t cost anything and can provide you with so many benefits. Go with a friend or on your own. Allow this to be a peaceful time to not only connect to yourself but to the environment that surrounds you. 

2. SNOWSPORTS: SKIING, SNOWBOARDING, CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Allow yourself to get away for a few hours and enjoy some time up in the mountains or at a nearby park for some fresh air and exercise. Looking to learn something new and challenging? This would be the way to go! Connect while riding down the mountain or gliding through the trails of the park and just be. Let go and live in the moment while learning or working towards improving upon your favorite winter sport.

3. SLEDDING

Now, this is just flat out fun! It’s time to be a kid again! Sledding will bring you outdoors, give you plenty of exercise, and loads of laughter for hours!

4. HIKING AND SNOWSHOEING

Depending on where you live, this may include snow or no snow. Research and find a trail that is safe for winter hiking or snowshoeing. It doesn’t have to be anything long or strenuous. Pick a small hike that will allow you to spend time in nature, clear your thoughts, and reset.

5. NATURE WALK/SPEND TIME AT THE PARK

Turn it into a fun activity with a scavenger hunt or bring a journal to document what you find in nature this time of year. Look and see what kinds of plants, bushes, trees, birds, animals, animal tracks, pinecones, etc. that you can find. Allow for some time to observe, identify, and record them in your journal or mark them off your scavenger hunt list. And remember to bundle up!

Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves.

Stephen Moss

6. PLAY IN THE SNOW! MAKE A SNOW FORT, SNOW ANGELS, OR HAVE A SNOWBALL FIGHT

Another fun activity for kids and adults alike! Give yourself permission to let go for a while. Create a grand snow fort with the kids or your friends and use the forts in your epic snowball fight! Snow angels are so much fun to make as well!

7. GROW PLANTS INDOORS: HERBS, MICROGREENS, INDOOR PLANTS, AND EVEN MUSHROOMS!

All you need are some seeds, soil, pots, water and a sunny window or a grow light. There are also some kits you can purchase if you are just starting out or wish to purchase everything you need altogether. Herb Kit. Microgreens Kit. Mushroom Kit.

There are so many benefits to growing your own plants, herbs, and food. And it is a great way to connect with nature and bring some nature indoors. Not only do you get to connect with the plants and soil, but you can also enjoy the nutritional benefits from those that are edible and homegrown.

Many house plants have natural air purifying qualities such as the snake plant, Sansevieria. The snake plant converts CO2 to oxygen during the night, remove toxic air pollutants, and need very little maintenance. Other great indoor plants include aloe, peace lily, spider plant, dracaena, pothos, rubber plant, and more! There is no better time than now to begin your collection!

8. MAKE CRAFTS FROM NATURE

Some fun ideas are to make pinecone bird feeders and gourd birdhouses for the outdoors or bring nature indoors with some natural home decor. Citrus garlands are a fun place to start. Check out our citrus garland tutorials here. 

9. LEARN THE CRAFT OF WOODWORKING 

Connect with nature this winter by working with natural elements to make your next birdhouse, squirrel house, or bee house to use in the winter or prepare for next spring. Try to incorporate items you may have found on your nature walk.

10. ENJOY A DAILY CUP OF HERBAL TEA OR TWO! 

Bring the outside in with some calming chamomile tea, refreshing mint tea, grounding pine needle tea, and more! Grow your own herbs and flowers at home or find a store nearby that sells organic locally grown teas. 

11. EAT SEASONALLY AND LOCALLY, IF POSSIBLE 

Connect with nature by choosing to eat foods that are local and in season in your area. These foods will be picked at their peak which means they will be more nutritionally dense and will also taste better. Wondering what is in season in your area? Click here. Local, more abundant food will be less expensive, and eating these foods is better for the environment since they do not need to travel far to get there.

Support local farmers and small businesses. Look for a year-round farmers market or join a CSA in your area. Preserve food from your garden or from your CSA shares and stock up for the winter season.

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

John Burroughs

Final Thoughts and Inspiration

Winter is a time to reflect, focus, regroup, and plan for the new year ahead. Give yourself moments of calm and peace, spend time with family and friends, focus on self-care, and don’t forget to connect with nature during the winter months as well.

The stillness of winter can bring a whole new experience to your time spent connecting with nature. It is a special time. A time that will allow you to go deep within and discover more about yourself and the land that surrounds you.

Embrace the quiet. Improve your health. Create moments and memories that will last a lifetime. We are all connected. Always remember that we are not separate from nature. We are nature and we need to connect with nature to survive.

How do you connect with nature during the winter months? Please share below!