I'm someone who needs a connection with nature and the outdoors to feel at my best. I often say that nature is my church. It recharges me like nothing else. In the spring, summer, and fall, connecting with nature is no problem at all. Even if it's raining, it's warm enough that I can get outdoors and do my thing regularly. But during the winter, it becomes a bit more challenging.
I've lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life, and while I'm used to soupy, rainy winters, for the most part, it doesn't get so cold that I can't stand to be outdoors. But I've been to a few really cold places in the winter (hello, Minnesota and Wisconsin, I see you with your frozen lakes that people drive on), and my attempts to connect with nature there were cut drastically short since I wanted to keep all my fingers and toes.
So when the wind is howling, the skies are dumping, and the chill in the air feels like it might make your nose fall off your face, what's a nature lover to do? These are some of my favorite ways to connect with Mother Earth, no matter how miserable it is outdoors.
Embrace the Cold & Wet
Today is a rare sunny day in December here in the Pacific Northwest, so it seems strange to be saying this, but if I didn't embrace the cold and wet weather living here, I'd never get outside after about November 15. And since that isn't acceptable to me, I've learned to love being outside, even when the weather is terrible.
Here's how I see it: If you truly love nature and being outdoors makes you happy, then learn to be outdoors at any time. I have a weather app that lets me know when there might be a little break in the rain or when the warmest part of a winter day is, and those are the times I plan to head outdoors for a bit. Even 10 minutes works. If those times don't exist or I'm busy when the weather is the least terrible, I go outside anyway. Getting wet in the rain won't harm me, and I feel so much better for having spent a few minutes breathing in the air and having my feet connect with the earth.
To be fair, there are certain times I won't spend any appreciable amount of time outdoors — high winds, lightning storms that are right over our head, hail, sub-zero temps, or 100+ degree days. But even those, I try to time it so I can spend a few minutes outside, even if it means sitting on my protected porch under a blanket and watching the weather swirl just beyond the porch railing.
Invest in Good Outdoor Gear
Outdoor gear that's appropriate for your area is a must for hanging outside, no matter what the season is. In winter, for me, that involves a wicking, breathable base layer, a Merino wool middle layer, thick wool socks, Gore-tex hiking boots or shoes with good traction (or rubber rain boots), a down shell (jacket and/or vest), a hooded waterproof outer layer, and a warm and dry hat and gloves. I can layer various combinations of these things no matter what the weather is, so I can stay warm, comfy, and dry as I navigate nature.
Dry them off between uses, and you can use them most days for outdoor forrays.
Go Outside Any Chance You Get
I prioritize getting outside as often as possible. It's that important to me. So I stay on top of when there's going to be a break in the weather, and I make sure I head outside when it happens, even if it's just for a few minutes.
I'm lucky in that I'm not trapped in an office during winter's limited hours of daylight, but even when I was, I'd bundle up and head outside on breaks or lunch just to feel more connected to the planet.
My esthetician has asked me to remind you that, no matter how dreary the weather is, you should always wear sunscreen to protect your skin. UV happens even on the cloudiest of days.
Cover Your Nose and Mouth in the Cold
Even when you're appropriately bundled up, when it's super cold, it can hurt to even breathe. When it's that cold, cover your nose and mouth with a scarf. That'll add some moisture to the air and warm it up as you breathe it in as long as your lungs are in otherwise good health. If you have a lung condition like COPD or asthma, it's best to talk to your doctor before heading out when it's that cold. Bonus: It'll keep your face and nose warm, too.
Related: Winter Doldrums? These 18 Things Give Me an Instant Mood Lift
Keep Moving When It's Cold
If cold is the issue, then movement is the solution. Once appropriately bundled, keep moving. As you move briskly, your core will warm up. As long as you're wearing a breathable base layer, it'll wick the moisture away from your body as you do. You'll be comfy, dry, and warm inside all your winter gear.
Splash in Mud Puddles
I'm kind of a kid at heart, and I have loved splashing in mud puddles all my life. When my son was small, we'd bundle up in our best rain gear and go out and have a ball. Sure, we'd come in wet, but we'd warm right up once we dried off. It's a fun, carefree way to enjoy the outdoors in inclement weather.
Go for a Drive
If the streets are safe, but it's just too cold or wet for you, go for a drive. Drive to a local green area like a park and take in nature from the safety of your car.
Keep an Outdoor Journal to Reflect on When the Weather's Bad
What you do when the weather is good can sustain you for the times when it's bad and you just can't get outdoors.
I'm a writer, so I journal my outdoor adventures, and I always take a ton of pictures of the prettiest places in nature I visit. During the winter, I can go back and revisit my outdoor experiences. I also have a lot of my hiking and outdoor adventure photos in electronic picture frames on rotate, so on the dreariest days, I can re-experience all our outdoor adventures without ever leaving the house.
Visualize Yourself in Nature
Sometimes when the days are short and the weather is the worst, I close my eyes and visualize some of my favorite outdoor places. Since I'm always so present when I'm in nature, I can recall the sounds, feelings, smells, and sights of a favorite place.
Be as detailed as you can in your visualization. What does the sunlight feel like on your arms? How does the air smell? What birds and critters do you hear nearby? These detailed visualizations can leave you feeling like you just got back from a great hike.
Care for Houseplants
Bringing the outdoors in is another strategy that works really well for me. I have a lot of houseplants, and I love to tend to them. Just having them in my space makes me feel more connected to nature, and when I spend time watering and pruning them, it's even better. It's a good way to connect to the great outdoors when you're stuck inside.
No Long, Winter's Nap for Me
A lot of people love cocooning in the winter, settling in for a long winter's nap in the coziness of their home. But I am not that person. I have seasonal affective disorder, and being outside is one of my strategies for feeling my best, even in the winter. Once I realized that there are ways to experience nature, even when the weather is the worst, I've felt happier and more content during the winter. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some rare winter sun to enjoy.
