Why cold-weather walks are worth it

There is a particular quality to a winter morning walk that is unlike any other. The air is sharp and clean, your breath visible in small clouds, the world quieter than usual, the light low and golden when it comes. If you can get yourself out the door, warmly dressed, unhurried, what awaits is one of the most restorative experiences available.

Walking is, of course, one of the oldest and most complete forms of exercise. It’s low-impact, accessible, and supported by a substantial body of research connecting regular walking with improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, reduced anxiety, and lower rates of depression.

In winter specifically, outdoor walking offers the added benefit of light exposure which is a critical factor in maintaining healthy circadian rhythms and serotonin levels during the darker months.

The key to building a winter walking habit is removing the obstacles. Lay out your clothes the night before. Commit to a minimum — even ten minutes counts and usually leads to more. Find a route you genuinely like: a park, a bush trail, a riverbank, a quiet neighbourhood street. If possible, walk with a friend because the social connection transforms it from a chore into something you look forward to.

Dress in layers you can adjust: a merino wool base layer, a warm mid-layer, a wind-resistant jacket. Keep your hands and ears warm. Once you’re moving, you will warm up within the first few minutes, and by the time you return home you will feel something that all the comforts of the sofa cannot provide — genuinely, physically alive.

Winter walks will not just keep you well. They will remind you why it’s good to be alive.