Thanks to the pandemic, we’ve all spent more time indoors than usual and with Winter well and truly upon us it's even more tempting to stay inside and hibernate.
Walking is a great form of exercise, especially if you work from home. Going for a daily stroll is a great way to break up your day and being outside reduces stress and anxiety. A recent study found that spending time outdoors can improve mental health. It provides a distraction from worries, stresses and a break from the daily routine.
Additionally, being outdoors for even 15 minutes a day boosts vitamin D levels and can help keep seasonal affective disorder at bay.
Now you know about the benefits, here’s our guide for winter walks.
Wear appropriate clothing
- Make sure to wear a pair sturdy walking boots
- Don a thick pair of socks
- Invest in a pair of warm gloves and a hat
- Layer up! When walking you can warm up quite quickly so make sure to wear multiple layers that can be easily removed on the go.
- Make sure to wear bright and reflective clothing to ensure you remain visible.
- Invest in a waterproof and windproof jacket- to avoid catching any nasty chills!
Plan out a route!
- Tracking and planning a route is great way to see your progress as well as ensuring you stick to a well known and safe route.
- Already a rambling expert? The app footpath allows you to track your route.
- If you’re a newbie- consult the national trust to find a certified walking path in your area, they’re also ranked in difficulty, so you can find the perfect route for you.
Bring provisions.
- Going on a walk can be tiring and thirsty work, remember to pack a bottle of water and snacks for the journey. Make sure they’re high energy foods such as flapjacks or fruits and nuts.
- A flask filled with a tasty hot drink is also a great addition.
Join a local walking group
- Walking need not be a solo activity; it can be a great way to meet new people and gain new friends. Walking in a group has numerous benefits, for example it encourages conversation between strangers. It also can also make individuals feel more connected to each other which combats feelings of isolation and loneliness. Feelings we know have been rampant during Covid.
- Not sure where to start?
- Ramblers is a brilliant way to meet fellow winter walking enthusiasts. They have clubs all over the UK, with varying levels of trails. Click here to find a group near you!
- Mental Health Mates is a peer support community set up by mental health advocate Bryony Gordon. Its aim is to bring people together to find community and to have a safe space to discuss their feelings and mental health. Click here for more info...
Take a history walk!
- If you live in an urban setting, why not try a history walk. For those living in London, why not visit some of the blue plaque sites to learn more about your hometown! Most cities offer walking tours, which is also a great way to meet new people and learn something new!
Safety tips
- Take a fully charged and switched-on mobile phone
- Bring a charger pack with you just in case
- Ensure you have enough water
- Check the weather conditions beforehand
- Make sure to tell someone where you’re walking and what time you expect to be back
To read more about safety on winter walks click here.
We hope this guide has inspired you to get out there this winter and explore. Tag us on social media at @BrownPaperPackages with photos of your winter walking adventures, we can’t wait to see the amazing places our readers visit!
By Christina @ Brown Paper Packages
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