It’s been an especially cold winter here in Melbourne so it’s tempting to spend all our free time rugged up on the couch, but getting fresh air is so important even when that air is decidedly cold! These are some of my favourite ways to get outside during winter, and I’d love to hear yours too!
1. Get Some Exercise
Staying motivated to exercise in the cold can be hard work, but the good news is that you’re likely to get toasty warm pretty quickly if you head outside to get your workout done! It does require some proper layering of clothing so that you can start warm, and it also requires a whole lot of self-discipline but it’s a great way to get outside and get yourself some fresh air.
2. Do Some Gardening
There are plenty of veggies that we can grow in the colder months, so spending some time in your garden is an excellent way to force yourself outdoors on a regular basis, plus you get a delicious homegrown bounty out of it as well! If you need some winter gardening tips I’m here to help with that too!
3. Plan A Picnic
We generally associate picnics with summer but there’s no reason why we can’t rug up in winter for a picnic as well! On those crisp, sunny winter days pack a picnic basket full of winter goodies like soups, roast vegetable salads and hot chocolate and soak up some much needed Vitamin D!
4. Build A Bonfire
If you have a backyard gather some friends around, light a bonfire in a fire pit (safely of course!) and spend your afternoon toasting marshmallows in the winter air – singalong optional! Mulled wine is another excellent addition, and before you know it you’ll be toasty warm and have almost forgotten it’s winter!
5. Take Some Photos
Our cities look so different in the winter light, and especially during and after some rain, so getting out and about to take some photos no matter your skill level is an excellent way to get outside during winter. Rug up and wander through new areas or re-discover old ones and you’ll be amazed at what you’re able to capture.
6. Visit a National Park
The wonderful things about visiting national parks in winter is that you often have them almost entirely to yourself, so why not combine your outdoor exercise with some national park exploring! Just be careful on windy days given all the tree branches, but if you find yourself with a sunny but crisp weekend then skip the netflix session and hit an outdoor trail instead!
7. Read Outside
If you’ve only got a small amount of spare time but still want to get outside then try heading out onto your balcony or patio with a steaming cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate and your favourite book or the newspaper and do some reading. It might feel a little chilly but you’ll feel so much better after getting some fresh air I promise!
I hope these tips to get outside during winter are helpful & I’d love your ideas as well!
Share the Love
I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts
July 30, 2016 at 12:37 pm (8 years ago)It does seem to have been a cold winter this year!!!
Last weekend we had to leave the house at 7:30. I had to de-ice the car!!!
De-icing the car isn’t something I have ever had to do in WA!!!! Cray Cray!!!
I sat outside with my coffee this morning, as our new puppy wanted to explore!!! I was well rugged up and my feet were snug in my uggs, but I was glad when she got tired and I could come back inside!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts recently posted…Cherrytini
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
October 6, 2016 at 7:12 pm (8 years ago)Puppies are the best for forcing us outside!
Shari from GoodFoodWeek
July 30, 2016 at 7:30 pm (8 years ago)We loved to have a bonfire in Canberra – but it is just too hot to have a bonfire in Sydney.
Shari from GoodFoodWeek recently posted…Motherhood: Tips for life with two {within a close age gap}
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
October 6, 2016 at 7:14 pm (8 years ago)Surely it gets cold enough occasionally!
Julie
July 30, 2016 at 9:21 pm (8 years ago)I love all these ways to get outside. Although to be honest i don’t really need encouragement. I’m one of the weirdos who LOVES winter. I find the cold invigorating.
Julie recently posted…Things To Do In Barcelona – Bon dia, ens n’anem
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
October 6, 2016 at 7:13 pm (8 years ago)As long as it’s not tipping down or super windy I kinda love it too!
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red
July 31, 2016 at 2:44 pm (8 years ago)Winter is freezing at the moment in Canberra! Any extra inspiration to get us outside is fab! We also like to go for drives to small towns, find a bakery and a park and have a picnic – then back in the warm car (and kids sleep on way home!)
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red recently posted…The joys of toddlers
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
October 6, 2016 at 7:15 pm (8 years ago)That sounds like a perfect outing to me!
Karin @ Calm to Conniption
August 4, 2016 at 3:22 pm (8 years ago)We had a big bonfire last weekend. Was so nice and the best part was I didn’t smell like smoke the next day!
Karin @ Calm to Conniption recently posted…#19 The You Under The Mum with Dr Sash
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
October 6, 2016 at 7:19 pm (8 years ago)I wish I could have a bonfire but unfortunately they aren’t really apartment friendly!