Got Cabin Fever? Here’s How to Spend Time Outside This Winter

In the age of COVID-19, many of us are trying to spend time outside, even as the weather gets colder. However, if you find that it’s hard to keep coming up with outdoor activities to do in the winter months, you’re not alone.

To that end, we’ve brought you five ways that you can spend more time outside this winter. Read them over so that you have a better idea of what you can do to keep yourself and your family busy in the colder months.

Here are 5 ways to spend time outside this winter

1. Eat at an outdoor restaurant.

While it may seem strange to eat outdoors when the temperatures plunge, in the time of coronavirus, many restaurants are offering outdoor seating in order to help keep themselves afloat. In light of that, many restaurants and cafes are utilizing outdoor heaters to help keep patrons warm in cooler temperatures. Some are even using pop-up “igloos” for individual dining parties.

If you’re going to go this route, you’ll want to make sure that you know what to expect before you head to the establishment. Think about calling the restaurant ahead of time to ask what sort of measures they have in place to allow people to eat outside. Are there heaters? Are the tables socially-distanced or are there barriers?

In this case, the more you know, the better you can prepare for your experience. For example, if one restaurant’s outdoor dining plan is not up to your standards, you can always look for another option until you find one that suits your needs.

2. Go to the park.

Next, think about going to the park to get some of that all-important Vitamin D. if you have kids, you can bring them to the playground. Alternatively, if you have a dog, you could take them there for a walk. But, if not, you can just go and sit on one of the benches. You could spend some time reading a book or just bring a hot beverage to enjoy.

For those who are considering this activity, remember that warmth is important. Be sure to dress warmly and in light layers. If you think you may be sitting for any amount of time, you may also want to bring a blanket and some hand warmers to help keep the heat in.

3. Try a new winter sport.

These days, there’s no better way to enjoy the cold weather than by getting active. We suggest riding out the COVID-19 blues by trying a new winter sport like skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing. While the rules for participating in these sports may be different this year, the odds are good that most places offering winter sports will be open for business.

Truthfully, these are great ways to spend some quality time with your kids, too. Not only do winter sports help them to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities, but they can become activities that you enjoy the family for a lifetime.

That said, when participating in these activities, safety is important. It’s even more so when you add in the fact that other people need to keep their distance as a result of the virus. With that in mind, if it all possible, we recommend taking a lesson.

4. Set a fitness goal.

If zooming down a mountain on skis isn’t your idea of fun, there are still plenty of ways that you can enjoy the outdoors while being active. For example, you could set a new fitness goal. Whether your goal is to run a 5K or simply to get a certain number of steps each day, think about taking your current fitness regimen outside.

Alternatively, if your idea of fitness is more zen-like, you could look for an outdoor yoga class. Not only will you be staying active, but you also have the chance to socialize with others from a safe distance.

5. Look for winter celebrations.

Though there may not be as many outdoor festivals in the winter as there are in the warmer months, they do exist. For example, around the holidays, you may be able to go to a holiday market where you can purchase gifts for your loved ones or walk around and see local artists.

Look up some of these celebrations in your area. Even after the holidays are over, there are going to be a few celebrations as the winter season draws to a close and the weather starts to get nicer.

The bottom line

Getting outside has always been important. However, it has become even more so now when you consider that it’s one of the only ways that we can see other people safely. To that end, use these tips as a way to incorporate the outdoors into your daily routine. No matter how you do it, we’re willing to bet that you will feel better for it.