Some days, it’s more difficult to feel motivated to get outside. This can be particularly true in winter, when the days are colder and daylight hours are shorter.
But, time in nature and the fresh air can do wonders. On a crisp winter day, wrapping up in a coat, scarf, gloves, hat and venturing outside can already make us feel like we have achieved something!
Even in winter, it’s a good idea to get outside a few times a week. It doesn’t need to be a long trip – just a few minutes can help to feel restored. You could try:
Time outside on cold days can be particularly challenging for some people, for example those with lung conditions or arthritis. Winter does tend to include some milder days, so keep a watch on the weather for those.
If you have a window view of the garden, place something of interest in your line of sight. A bird feeder, for example, can allow you to watch nature from the warmth and comfort of your home.
When we imagine a typical winter scene, we may start to think about big drifts of snow on the ground and branches.
If we are lucky, winter may throw up beautiful snowy weather. The sight of the world blanketed in white is extraordinary and always worth making time for!
In reality, snowy days are not that common. But there are plenty of other sights to enjoy.
The sky and light in winter is entirely different to summer. On a clear day, the sky can be a deep, intense blue. When clouds cover the sky, everything can turn a bright, ghostly grey. If you are walking later in the afternoon, the sun drops low in the sky, creating magical shadows across the land.
On a cold day, breathe out. You can enjoy the sight of your breath, like a puff of dragon’s smoke.
Without their leaves, deciduous trees look old and gnarled. There is something beautiful about their twisted branches, which we cannot usually see in such detail.
From mid-winter, we can also enjoy some signs that let us know spring is on its way. Snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils poking through the soil give us hope and optimism for sunnier, lighter days to come.
When we’re quiet, we can often observe creatures foraging for food. Robins are a welcome winter sight. You may also spot a squirrel, trying hard to remember where it buried its nuts!
The cool, winter air brings a sense of crispness to the scents around. You may notice things smell less intensely in winter. There is a scientific reason for this. Dry, winter air is not as effective as humid summer air at trapping odors and delivering them to your olfactory receptors (what you use to smell). And, there are less smells being delivered, as cold weather reduces the smell particles (volatiles) that come from objects.
There may be less to smell, but it’s still worth trying. If you are comfortably able to, breathe in slowly through your nose and take note of the smells around.
If you are near trees, you may find an earthy, pine smell reaches your nostrils. You may also enjoy the warm scents of food from other people’s homes wafting into the air!
Winter is often one of the quietest seasons of the year. Even more reason to listen carefully when you are out in nature.
There is sometimes a muffled quality to sound in winter, as though everything is under a blanket. Small sounds may become more prominent, like the swoosh of your clothing as you walk, or the footsteps and conversations of others.
If it’s a windy day, there may be the more lively sound of the air swirling or howling around.
When the ground is frozen, you may hear the crunching crack as your foot breaks a thin puddle of ice.
If you are lucky, you may hear the cheerful song of a robin before you spot it.
On a cold day, our hands may well be firmly into gloves. What we hopefully feel most is the warmth of the glove’s inside!
We can often feel winter on our skin. Exposed cheeks can feel the prickle of cold air.
Under our feet, we can feel the hard, frozen ground or the mush of wet leaves, not yet decomposed.
But if it’s a snowy day … we can feel the soft snow gradually become more compact as we press it into a snowman or snowball shape!
As winter gets closer, it's time to think about how to care for your garden during the colder months. We share advice on how to protect your plants and garden during winter.
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