During the wintertime, it's easy to forego outdoor time for the cozy comforts of indoor living. However, there are some distinct benefits to exploring nature during the wintertime, especially here in the Sandhills of North Carolina!
For starters, let's talk about bugs. During the warmer months, we are liable to find ourselves dealing with mosquitos, no seeums, horseflies, chiggers, ticks, fireants, bees, wasps, centipedes... I could go on and on. We also have our fair share of poisonous snakes to be aware of. But in wintertime, we can enjoy our days free from most of these living creatures who may plague us in summer!
Additionally, humidity in the Southeast can be a deterrent from enjoying time outdoors during the warmer months. Winter shows us a far more palatable relative humidity and we receive days with temperatures in the 60s and even 70s at times.
Beyond that, we need Vitamin D year round, especially in the wintertime! Spending time outdoors with exposure to natural light is not only a provider of this vitamin, but also helps us to maintain our circadian rhythm and avoid seasonal depression.
The power of contrast is also visible in the winter landscape. The sight of trees' bare skeletons without their leaves, reminds me that as with all things, winter is only temporary and that one day down the road, little green buds are going to be popping up everywhere!
In Norway, they have a saying, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothes." With the right gear (which for me is wool socks, a down coat, boots, gloves, and a hat), you just might find joy and freedom outdoors in the wintertime!
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