Winter Walks, What?

Many Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners consider Fall to be the premiere season for taking walks outside. Afterall, Fall is the season of the Lungs and Large Intestines, and the act of releasing and letting go seems to go hand-in-hand with walking. However, outdoor walks are monumentally beneficial every season, every day. Walking outside is a great way to circulate qi, strengthen the lungs, aid digestion, promote circulation, and clear the mind. In fact, during times of “brooding,” stress or anxiety, it’s been shown that taking a tree-lined walk changes blood flow in the brain to improve and enhance mood.

However, with dark and cold days, you may feel a bit less inclined to make the trek. But it’s worth it. To help make your late Winter walks a wee bit easier and enjoyable, here are a few of our top tips:

Schedule it. With days with less than 9.5 hours of daylight, carving out walk time is essential. Be sure to check the weather first to see the most opportune walking period, i.e. sunny, clear, warm, calm wind, etc. If snow is in the forecast, you may want to schedule your walk during or after a snowfall!
Good gear. For walking in cooler weather, you may need to gear up. Thermal “active” layers are great because they’ll keep you warm, while wicking away sweat. Gloves, hats and hoodies are always welcome. And if there’s a chance for precipitation, you’ll want waterproof or water-repellant outer layers and shoes. In fact, take a moment to inventory your walking shoes or boots. Consider tread, grip, support, comfort and warmth. If you need help in the gear department, REI is a great resource online, in-person and over the phone.
Be prepared. During this time of year, it’s possible that you’ll have a harder time finding and navigating certain trails, due to less vegetation, a recent covering leaves or dusting of snow. If this is a concern, stay away from remote or hard to navigate trails and stick to easy out-and-back walks or loops. If you want to try something new or adventurous, load AllTrails up on your phone and wear shoes with good grip and tread.
Breathe. Any time in nature is precious and will make a positive impact. To really embody the moment, especially when time is tight, try incorporating a bit of conscious breathing.
Mix it up. Living in the Baltimore area, we’re blessed with beautiful natural resources and access to amazing local, state and regional parks. However, hitting the tried and true trails can be like rewatching favorite movie – great to revisit, but always nice to try something new. If you’re looking for some inspo, some of our Menders (thanks, Kim, Angie, Yan, and Aubrey!) offer their current faves: