Why get active outdoors?
As the days get colder and the sun sets earlier, it’s easy to start to spend less time outdoors, but in winter it’s more important than ever to get out in the fresh air. Getting active outdoors can help to reduce stress, boost your mood, improve your sleep, and leave you feeling refreshed and energised!
It can be an opportunity to connect with nature, take time for yourself, explore new places and enjoy moving your body, whatever the weather. It might mean getting caught in the rain or getting a bit muddier than planned but we think that’s worth it if you’re laughing and enjoying yourself!
Remember, getting active outdoors can be as simple as putting on some extra layers, a warm coat and going for a brisk walk. If you’re not a fan of getting out and about in the dark, why not take advantage of the light in the daytime and add a walk to your daytime plans while it’s still bright outside. It can be a great way to clear your head and you could even give your friends a call for a walk and talk, listen to your favourite music or catch up on a podcast. It can also often be a good idea to ask a member of your family to join you to help you feel safer.
But remember, outdoor exercise in the winter doesn’t have to be limited to a brisk walk – why not try something a little different such as visiting a local outdoor ice-rink with friends.
Don’t want to miss out on playing your favourite outdoor sports? No problem! Lots of sports continue during the colder months, with many moving indoors or asking you to make sure you wrap up warm.
If you fancy something indoors, consider heading to your local leisure centre to try out an indoor sport like badminton or swimming or use the gym. There are also lots of ways that you can get active from home – even if you’ve not got lots of space. Think online dance classes, HIIT sessions or yoga flows! Head to our ‘Get active’ page for links to heaps of free apps and websites with inspiration on activities to get involved in!
Start your journey
Ready to get started? Take a look at how Big Sister can help you navigate your journey through exercise and puberty with free resources and information on activities in your area.