When you think of winter, it can be hard to find some major positives. Unlike the summer when the heat isn’t sweltering, you can wear light, flowing clothes. Maybe go on a picnic or head to the beach. The fun possibilities for a day full of at least 8 hours of sunshine just sounds so much better than winter.
But winter can be fun! The cold weather doesn’t have to dampen all the fun of outdoor activities. Below are some of the benefits of winter hiking and even some of the places you can head to right in the Merrimack to give it a try!
Physical and Mental Health
Being outdoors is proven to help our mental health. Exposing ourselves to the winter sun and gaining back some of that missing Vitamin D is a great way to elevate your mood and get through the winter. Our moods naturally shift toward depression as we have less sunlight during the day and so it’s good to be proactive and get more sun exposure especially during the winter. Of course, don’t forget your sunscreen because UV light can still damage our skin during the winter months.
Winter hiking is also much easier than hiking during the warm months. You wouldn’t think so with all the possible ice and cold temperatures, but it’s easier for you and your body to hike in the snow. The cushion of the snow also helps to strengthen your joints without over exerting them. In addition to that, your body has to naturally work harder in the cold. According to a study done by Princeton, your body will adapt and improve your cardiovascular performance and at a much greater level than if you’d been hiking in the summer.
Mental and physical health are well tied together and so by moving your body and getting exercise you’ll increase the amount of endorphins and serotonin in your brain. This in turn helps your mental health and combat the winter blues.
Expand Your Winter Wardrobe
Now who doesn’t love a bit of shopping especially when it will benefit you from this winter and onwards. One of the most important parts of winter hiking is wearing the correct clothes. While some people can be a bit silly and head out the door in just a pair of jeans while walking through the city, they will soon learn why denim and snow don’t mix. While cotton clothes offer breathability in the summer, when wet it will stay wet. This is not only an issue for your outermost layer, but also whatever you’re using as a base layer.
Base layers especially for winter hiking, should be close to the skin and made of a material designed to not only wick sweat, but be fast drying. Hiking can be a vigorous activity and your sweat exposed to the cold could lower your body temperature.
What’s great about having base layers made of a soft merino wool is that you can wear them throughout the winter and stay warm no matter what you’re doing. And who doesn’t love being able to withstand the -10 chill a bit better?
While you will need snow shoes or snow spikes to make sure you’re all set for your hike, being surrounded by beautiful nature and increasing your physical and mental health is a total win-win. Head on a hike right here in the Merrimack Valley this winter!
