As the cold weather finally sets in it’s easy to want to hibernate in the winter, but it can make the best of us a little stir crazy. Getting out and being active in the fresh air can really help beat the winter blues and keep you holding on until spring. Here are some activity ideas for you to try this winter.
Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is a great way to have fun and gets that heart rate rising. If you don’t have snowshoes already there are places you can rent them to see if you like the activity first. Weston Ski Track rents snowshoes which you can take down one of their many trails, and they also offer lessons and feature a snow making machine. Brooksby farm in Peabody also offers rentals as well.
Skating: Whether you prefer hockey or figure skating, they each offer great benefits. Although it does require some skill it’s a fun activity to do with a partner of together with your family. Children can push milk crates to help them balance when they first start out. There are many local indoor skating rinks such as those located at Salem State, Hockey Town USA, or Redd’s Pond and Frog Pond for outdoor rinks.
Go for a walk: Although it’s often icy there are ways around that so you can still take a walk around your neighborhood. Try using removable grippers that you secure onto the bottoms of your feet like these so you can get out of the house and enjoy the beauty of the snow.
Cross country skiing: A true total body workout, the average 150 lb recreational skier can burn up to 612 calories an hour, even more if you weigh more or push the intensity. Locally many skiers use the bike path that runs through Marblehead and into Salem. You can also rent skis at Brooksby Farm, and if you like it but you’re on a budget you can always buy second hand skis.
Downhill skiing or Snowboarding: A very popular local winter pastime in Massachusetts, it’s fun for all ages. There are hundred of ski resorts throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont but if you’re looking to stay local you might want to try Nashoba Valley or Wachusett Mountain. Did you know the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA offers a ski program?
Sledding: A truly fun way to experience the snow and really get a workout charging up those hills. You don’t need to spend much either to have a good ride. Make sure the trail or hill you choose is safe for sledding and there aren’t any trees or poles to potentially collide with.
Playing in the snow: Whether you have kids or not playing in the snow can be fun! If you do have kids, it’s a great way to bond with them and stay active as a family. Try building a snowman, making snow angels, having a friendly snowball fight, or making an igloo.
I’d love to hear your ideas too! How do you stay active in the winter and stave off the blues?
In good health,
Ryan Healy, BS, NSCA-CSCS
…but I’m stuck inside WRITING for the next week — only able to take occasional breaks to check other blogs on Freshly Pressed!
Oh well. Perhaps I’ll take my laptop outdoors for a while…
All great suggestions for winter fun! Thanks for sharing!
I don’t particularly enjoy the cold so, Indoor Kickboxing classes, all the way!
I wish I’d be doing things on your winter list. I have shoveling & shopping for affordable heat (oil) company this winter. Shoveling is physically active, other one is mentally taxing. Not looking forward for a blizzard this winter. Fly south would my idea if plays out.
I will spend the winter month by month, waiting for spring. Thanks for sharing. Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
I just went for a long walk, and when it’s too cold outside, I do yoga. I must do something!!
We don’t get a lot of snow where I live, but I experience the winter blues. My choice of activity is going for walks and taking my camera along with me. You are correct in that exercise makes a huge difference.
I love taking nice long walks with friends! I also enjoy the occasional yoga and zumba class. Anything to keep the blood flowing
What a great article, thank you Ryan!
I like to rock climb several times a week so when the weather turns cold and the rocks are too wet to climb on I end up at the indoor climbing wall at the gym. Its a good workout and you meet some great people!
So does getting on a plane to a hot and beachy destination also count? If so, sign me up!! Boo for the cold unless I get to stay inside and be cozy by the fire or have the desire to get crazy on the slopes with the snowboard (pretend I am Sean White, etc). Thanks for the ideas though!!
I enjoy getting out in my yard in my community. It is not only the pride of the appearnce of my home, with racking leaves, and planting flowers, but the waves of neighbors, as they drive by. Since I have a walking trail in front of my home, I also enjoy connecting with the runners and walkers who pass my home. Congrats on making “Freshing Pressed.” Great suggestions in your article.
Thanks John, we’re pretty excited to have made it to Fresh Pressed, especially since we just began this blog a few months ago! Cheers!
What a great post to share! Awesome job!
Thank you for all the wonderful comments! Exercise and fun family activities will get us through the New England winter.
Not much snow around here, at least not yet, but I do walk everyday. Or sometimes, I go at night when the winds die down. Great list. Everyone should follow your advice.
Val
http://valentinedefrancis.wordpress.com
All good ideas. My method for beating the winter blues is living in California.
I was thinking Arizona.
Thanks for the ideas, I’m starting to go a little stir crazy already. Looking forward to trying out some snowshoeing when the inevitable winter mess arrives.
Well, since I live in Central California I can still do pretty much any outdoor activity I want, unless it’s raining. There’s a bike trail not far from my home, the gyms all seem to have pools and if I want snow it’s maybe a hour drive! I do love heading for the gym and getting my Zumba on, though. It’s my favorite way of busting my anytime blues…
Geez am I the only one that loves the winter? I embrace snow, blizzard and whatever else old man winter wants to throw at me.
Congrats on the FP, this is a great list to consider. I love the sledding, and throwing the football around in the snow. And the snowball fights, of course!
Winter’s wonderful, but sometimes the heat of a bonfire after a day on the slopes can defrost the soul delightfully.
Take a cruise!
Thanks for all the comments! I love all your ideas for staying active in the winter. I’m jealous of those that are in warm locations!
If I loved the cold I would do all those things. Maybe you could suggest things to do for those of us stuck in the cold weather, but love hot weather. JK or LOL.
Luckily, It’s not terribly cold in southern NJ
Great suggestions no wonder it got ‘Freshly Pressed’!!
Great suggestions! I have horses to take care and ride so I spend so much time outside that I just want to get away from the cold, so I take advantage of this time of the year to put in old workout dvds that have been gathering dust on the shelves, or borrow new ones from friends!
Jocelyn
Southernbreezeequestrian.wordpress.com
Winter. Fire. Long nights. Less traffic. Quilts. Cuisine. Warmth. Staying-together. Wool & apparel. Gifts. Loneliness!
It’s going to be my first winter! Any words of advice, aside from good luck?
Adie
I love outdoor fun in the winter. Especially playing in the snow with my kids and cross-country skiing. Last winter I ran outdoors too – often across a frozen lake (in Minnesota) among ice-fishing houses – it’s so incredibly peaceful. I plan to do the same again this year. Our snow is a little late though and I’m itching to get out on the skis!
This is why I moved to the Med. I hate the snow, the cold, the wet and slush. Great post and list of things to do though should I ever find myself in the cold north.
Snow? Just kidding. I live in Australia. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.
Some great Ideas, Im in a wheelchair so I changed the ideas around a little to suit me.
instead of snowshoes I tried snowtires and it turns out it is very difficult to propel yourself in a straight line, in fact any line for that matter.
The skating idea was genius, However I found that once I started moving on the ice I couldn’t stop, so until I find a away to handbrake on the ice I think I will give that a miss.
For obvious reasons I gave the “go for a walk” idea a miss.
Sledding = parking myself on two silver tea trays and then trying to start myself on the down hill glide. I will be honest, I chickened out, all that kept running through my head was :
“if I go down this hill parked on these trays, I could end up in a wheelchair”
As I have explained, I already am so I didn’t bother.
Thanks again and Have a great Christmas.
Is it terribly evil of me that your comment made me laugh my butt off? I’m looking at the possibility of being wheelchair bound in the next year or so, if I don’t get the fibromyalgia under control… so your sense of humor helps. Thanks
NO, it is not terribly evil to laugh at my comment, that was my intention
Im happy it cheered you up
Nice article, I think snow kiting could also be added!!!
Also, I really would like to reinforce the importance of functionality in clothing and gear for braving the cold, wet, windy, snowy conditions Old Man Winter throws our way. Dressing for the weather has been vital to my experience of walking to and from work and school (about 4 miles round trip per day). Up on the shores of Lake Superior, winter throws all it has at us in Duluth, MN. But having the right clothing makes it a rather spectacular experience.
And a little aromotherapy never hurt! If ya cant get outdoors, make a spray from energizing essence oils like lemon, orange, just the scent alone will make you feel better
I love all of your tips for beating boredom! Too bad I live in Austin Texas…
I love to go winter camping. I definitely have seasonal affective disorder and I get pretty stir crazy, so my cure for that is a huge adventure. Luckily, this winter has given us little to no snow (which is so absurd, as I live in Ottawa, Ontario!) so I might not get stir crazy enough to need an adventure.
Yeah winter blues can be such a mood killer! I like to stay active and hit the gym or to do some hiking to clear my mind and feel at ease.
This is a good “light” time to prepare for the next year so that you can ease into 2012 with a smile and stress free:)
I also find that exercise helps me a lot to deal with writer blues. When I get stuck or need a recharge or just want to forget, a walk or a bike ride gets me out of the house and away from the novel. Sort of helps me clear my head.
Ryan, I think you have a really cool blog here. Winter time is great to get outside and enjoy activites with the entire family. My personal favorites are sledding, and the best is having snowball fights. Trying not to aim above the shoulders of course. Its always great to get inside and warm up with a cup of hot coco as well.
great ideas. we usually go hiking all year around, even in the snow. just gotta dress warm and have on some great hiking shoes.
Took a long walk today along the same roads that I drive every day. I was surprised at how much I saw for the first time. It is amazing how I drove those streets everyday and never noticed some of the houses and things along the way. Great suggestions and congratulations on the FP!
All excellent suggestions, but since I live in California, there’s not much snow going on unless I go into higher elevations. I don’t even remember the last time I’ve seen real actual snow in the winter. I’ve seen snow but most of the time it’s artificial snow created by the snow machines. If only it snowed here, now that will be a white Christmas indeed
If only the east coast got some snow, I’d love to go skiing or try snowshoeing!
All great suggestions too! Thanks everybody!
People who have a dog to walk get out more!
I suggest country dancing or whatever kind of dancing you like.
Nice tips…
When I leave for work in the AM it’s dark, and when I leave from work in the PM it’s dark, so that’s a little limiting. I noticed some people suggested indoor classes. I wonder what some ideas are for lunch break outdoor activities.
Sara, one of the things we see for lunchtime is running outdoors, starting a work-based walking group, or trying to go local and sneak in a group exercise class. All are great mid-day energizers.
How about heading south?
I love going for walks in the winter. I love walking to the book store near my house. There is something about breathing in fire and breathing out ice (to steal from Bradbury) and I love the way winter smells; it really SMELLS cold. It is very invigorating.
Thanks for the ideas. These are fun.
To combat the winter blues when it’s too cold to get outside, I run around my couch for exercise and whip up some blue eggs for fun!
I can’t always go outside to be physically active, but I find that activities that bring more light into my little corner of the world are immensely helpful, especially when it’s dark outside. Sitting out by a bonfire or in front of the fireplace, lighting a candle or two… it’s like a nice reminder of the summer sun.
This was such a great post! I just discovered your blog, and I really am enjoying it. I’ve been living in a Bush village in Alaska for the last few months, and I would’ve loved seeing this a few weeks ago
Thanks for the fun read!
I like “winter biking” I “inveted it” with one of my friends
) We lower the bike so our legs can touch the ground, and dress wery warm, and go out to the woods. Usually there are pathways used by people so there we can slide/bike or in many cases just push the bike in the snow. Even if we can’t go a mile with the bike, but it is great fun laughing how impssible is to travel is in the snow.
You forgot Broom Ball! We played it on ice just like hockey!
Congrats on the FP!
I’m totally hooked on bikram yoga at the moment. A great way to warm up and get your mind right. Also, eating right! Loads of fruit and vegetables and plenty of hot herbal tea. http://bit.ly/sweZ6w
very insightful thx
When it’s just to bitter cold to be outside but cabin fever sets in , I like going and walking around the Mall or Wal Mart. Even if I don’t have anything on my shopping list to buy, it helps just getting out around people. Plus I usually manage to find a good sale on something when I don’t have a list.
I get out in the garden, tidy my shed, prepare for the summer and clean up after my dogs. If I run out of things to do, I sharpen tools in my shed or on the dry days maybe paint or varnish all of the outside wood.
I think doing anything outside in this weather is good for the mind. Just wrap up warm, have a positive attitude and you can avoid them “winter blues”
Checking on the elderly to make sure they didn’t freeze. That’s my winter time hobby.
We live in Idaho and its easy to get cabin fever. Thanks for reminding us all that we are actually lucky to live somewhere we can take advantage of winter activities!
Winter blues? I never get winter blues! Winter is my favourite season. The cosy, quiet, the dramatic skies, snow, and the feeling of creative stillness. The perfect time to focus.
Living in coastal South Africa, I have never had winter blues, much less seen snow. Nevertheless, one day when I have a white Christmas, I will keep in mind ese ideas.
I’d have to say reading by a nice fireplace is an instant cure all for the blues when it is frigid out.
I was planning on trying skiing this winter, but just in case I so happen to never get around doing that, do you have more ideas for someone who is not a big fan of the cold or the snow?
Joining a local facility like a Y for indoor workouts. Local Ys offer far more than the traditional fitness and group exercise classes. We have rock climbing, pick-up leagues for basketball and more, and great adult swimming options.
In London, we skate in winter. Wheeeeeeeeee! LOL
Ahhh we wanted to do a blog on this! We did when it rains – like indoor archery and climbing, abseiling – or something muddy and wet anyway like canoeing or water zorbing!
If you fancy booking one we are at http://www.goactivities.co.uk
Elaine xx
Ordinarily, my big winter exercise is driving the children to do one of these things, but you’ve inspired me! I’ll put the arthritic knees to the xcourtry skiing test this winter…maybe.
That is very good advice for those who have been graced with the presence of snow… But what about us who just get cold no benefits?
HI Aarom. The North Shore YMCA posted a reply to a similar comment above. They said “Joining a local facility like a Y for indoor workouts. Local Ys offer far more than the traditional fitness and group exercise classes. We have rock climbing, pick-up leagues for basketball and more, and great adult swimming options.”
I completely agree. Playing a game of squash, taking a group exercise class, going for a swim, or joining a recreational sports team are all great ways to sweat, get out of the house, and help you get through winter!
Some other suggestions from posters have been winter camping, hiking, sitting by a fire, yoga, drinking hot cocoa cocoa, or broom ball. Hope this helps!
We ski and sledd and ice skate and it makes the winter so fun! The boys love to play outside and build snowmen (and then come in for hot cocoa after!) Enjoy the winter!
Thanks for sharing, I hate the feeling of being stuck indoors all day! Will definitely try a few of these out this winter!
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If you’re looking for ways to help keep your kids active, check out my latest post http://yhealthandwellness.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/helping-children-become-more-active/