Festival of Winter Walks

Winter Walks for the Soul

By Katrina McDowell on Jan 1, 2025 in News

What better way to celebrate the holidays than enjoying yourself outdoors? Get out of the winter blues and SAD this winter season and explore how to celebrate a festival of winter walks.

Enjoy a sense of freedom and the benefits of being outdoors

Take this holiday season to enjoy the wonders of nature and get together with family and friends. Winter walks bring individuals and groups together to enjoy walking and are a great way to be active. Did you know walking is the most popular exercise in the United States? The average walking speed is 3.1 miles per hour. The average distance a person walks is about 75,000 miles during their lifetime. Walking helps boost your mood by increasing blood flow to the brain. Walking ten miles per week, instead of traveling by vehicle, would save 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year!

Winter walk adventures

The holidays can be overwhelming and stressful! Walking has immense healing powers and is so great for you. Take this opportunity to walk more. Winter walks offer a break from the hustle and bustle. If you want to be more involved in fitness, create a challenge, such as walking a certain distance or number of days each week and include a downloadable tracker. Most smartwatches include outdoor walking apps that track elevation, speed and distance.

If you prefer to walk solo, embrace the silence and have a reflective winter walk for the soul. The unique tranquility of winter walking can inspire introspection. Walking in the quiet stillness of winter reduces anxiety and enhances focus. While walking, do some mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing and connecting with the surroundings, such as focusing on the crunch of snow underfoot. Bring a small notebook and jot down thoughts inspired by the winter landscape. Include prompts like: “What does the blank canvas of snow symbolize to you?” Always give gratitude for the serene environment to appreciate nature’s beauty and life’s small joys.

Snowy walks and hot drinks

Explore the cozy combination of a brisk winter walk and a warm drink. Map out scenic winter walking trails near cafes or hot drink stands. For example, take a winter walk on a snowy forest trail that leads to a charming tea house. DIY thermos recipes such as homemade hot chocolate, mulled cider or chai tea to carry along. Pair traditional winter drinks with specific winter environments, such as Swedish glögg on icy urban walks or a creamy latte for a snowy park stroll. Include accessories when walking during the winter, like hand warmers, insulated mugs or thermoses to enjoy your drink in nature.

Walking with furry friends

Pets must be protected if you want to adventure outdoors with them. Petco, Petsmart and Chewy have a plethora of dog coats, booties and paw balms to shield against ice, snow and salt. Adjust walking lengths to gauge when a pet may be too cold and do shorter, more frequent walks if needed. Leash safety is crucial, and leashing pets in slippery conditions or areas of hidden black ice is dangerous. Try going to more pet-friendly trails or parks with cleared paths or amenities. After the walk, clean your pet’s paws, remove salt or deicer, and dry them off thoroughly.

Help spread awareness of winter walks by sharing it on social media to inspire others. Start that online conversation, then move it outdoors. Happy walking!