4 Ways to Reconnect With Nature in Wintertime

Enjoying the outdoors doesn’t have to end once the temperature takes a nosedive. During the winter months, many of us spend more time indoors, which reduces our exposure to natural light and can often translate into less physical activity. Not getting enough exercise (and endorphins) or sunlight in the morning reduces serotonin levels, negatively impacting important mood-boosting neurotransmitters in the brain.

If you tend to grapple with some degree of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) like I do when the days get shorter and darker, being outdoors is helpful, even on an overcast day. It may sound counterintuitive, but avoiding the gray days by staying indoors only exacerbates SAD. The natural light emitting through the clouds can still be beneficial. There are light therapy treatments for SAD that can be helpful but also finding ways to reframe our thoughts about the cold and darker season through Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) might also make a difference. Here are a few ideas:

1. Embrace the Gray

As a hue situated between black and white, gray does not appear on the color wheel, but we are surrounded by gray in many life forms. The grays that we encounter and observe in the world might come in the form of silver, platinum, ash, fog, rocks, the surface of the moon, a silver fox, a gray wolf, the gray heron, the gray owl, a shadow, or a piece of driftwood wedged in the sand at your favorite beach.

And yes, clouds. Without clouds, we would have no rain or a sustainable planet. A cloud is essentially a coalescing of mist suspended in the sky moving with the atmospheric currents. They are floating bodies of water. Above the clouds, the clear blue sky is still there. It’s just temporarily wearing a veil. The idea is to think about clouds in a way that counteracts their potential mood-depressant impact on us. Approaching all things gray and hazy with a curious mind opens us up to experiencing the darker months in a new way. On those particularly overcast days, venture outside and immerse yourself in the sky’s misty drapery. See how it makes you feel.

2. Soak in the Solstice

The term “solstice” literally means that the sun appears to be at a standstill. We can learn from this process and have our own kind of personal standstill by taking time to pause, reflect, and gaze up at the heavens to contemplate the majesty of what is taking place in the cosmos. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, but it is also the turning point when the sun appears to move above the equator and slowly usher in more light with each passing day. The sun isn't really moving, we are! It is a time to build fires, light candles, make soup, gather in a warm place, and appreciate the cycle of things. It is a time to go for a walk or drive to marvel at the holiday lights and settle into a hygge (cozy) way of being.

The key is to not let the winter solstice pass by without acknowledging it. Learn about the myths, stories, rituals, legends, and festivals from around the world that celebrate the return of the sun. Ancient peoples built structures of all kinds to honor this time of year. To embrace the winter solstice, we can explore the event with fascination rather than with dread or fear. The day of the winter solstice offers less than 12 hours of daylight in most places in the Northern Hemisphere. Wherever you are, soak it in!

3. Notice What’s Visible

If you live in an area that is primarily populated with deciduous trees, each year during the autumn months you witness the leaves depart from their tree branches to nourish the ground below. And sometimes, quite suddenly, you can see the world in a whole new way. What was once hidden behind the lush foliage of spring and summer is now open to you. A walk in the woods becomes an almost entirely different experience. Perhaps you can see a creek, river, meadow, or ridge that you couldn’t see for months. The visibility is heightened as you can now observe the slope and architecture of the forest floor and landscape. Birds and their nests can more easily be spotted in the trees, and winter is the time when evergreens are most visible. Amid the deciduous bare tree limbs, evergreens stand out as gorgeous beacons of life and beauty. There is so much to see whether you live in a snowy climate or not. To notice what is more visible in your environment during the winter months is to be awake and aware, to be mindful and alive!

4. Be Bold in the Cold

Do your best to be bold in the cold in whatever way works best for you. In other words, if you are able…take that hike, go for that stroll, go skiing, walk the dog, visit your favorite park, and attend that winter tree identification workshop at your local nature preserve. Do what you need to do to keep your mental and physical health in good shape during the year’s darkest days. If you live in a colder climate, don several layers and your most warm and insulated outerwear. Stick hand warmers in your gloves. If all else fails, and if your life circumstances present you with options now and then, observe the wild creatures on the earth and follow suit. Fly south with the geese or embrace your inner hibernating bear.