5 reasons to brave the wintry weather for a walk

It’s no secret that getting outdoors for a walk in nature can work wonders for your physical and mental health. But at the very beginning of the year when the wind and rain seem so unpleasant, you might be put off from donning your walking boots.

Before you write off your daily walk though, read these five reasons why walking through the wintry weather can actually be even more beneficial than a walk in sunnier conditions. And it’s not just because it makes you appreciate the warmth and comfort of your sofa that bit more!

1.       Wind disperses pollution and rain washes dirt and germs from the air

The post-Christmas period, after parties and get-togethers, can see lots of coughs and colds cropping up. If you’re trying to avoid catching one of them, you’ll be pleased to know that rain has been found to wash dirt and germs out of the air. Along with wind, it can also disperse germs and pollution.

Researchers in the US studied the effects of wind on the spread of Covid-19 and found that faster wind speeds were associated with a lower rate of transmission.

So taking your walks on days that are windier and rainier could actually help to keep you healthier during the winter months.

2.       Raindrops help trees, plants and soil to release health-boosting compounds

Raindrops don’t just wash away germs and dirt from the air. When they fall onto trees, plants, and soil, it allows them to release beneficial compounds. These compounds, or ions, combine in the air that you breathe as you walk past, helping to boost your:

• Mood

• Lung function

• Immunity

These benefits were noticed in scientific research from Austria.

3.       Mud can make you feel happier and healthier

Remember the joy you used to feel as a child, as you stomped through muddy puddles in your wellies? It turns out that there’s a reason it’s so satisfying.

Microbes released by mud as you walk through it can improve your mood.

In addition to this, a Finnish study has found that these microbes could even help to strengthen your immune system. Researchers studied two groups of children; one group played in playgrounds built from plastic and concrete and the other played in a playground had been rebuilt using a tract of forest floor.

After just four weeks, they noticed that the children who played on the forest floor had a more diverse microbiome. A few months later, they found that these were the children who caught fewer coughs and colds. 

So next time you’re out in the forest or the countryside, don’t try to avoid the muddy puddles. Stomp right through them and enjoy the benefits to your health and mood.

4.       Cold weather activates brown fat, which reduces the amount of dangerous fats in your body  

Brown fat is sometimes known as brown adipose fat and it’s a real ally for your body because it zaps away the dangerous fats that can clog up your arteries.

Studies have found that Nordic construction workers and others who tend to go bare-legged in winter have a lot more brown fat in their bodies than most. So, if you want to make sure you keep your body full of all the right kinds of fat to help you stay strong and healthy, don’t shy away from the chilly days.

5.       An evening stroll in the dark stimulates sleep-inducing hormones

It can be tempting to stay indoors in the afternoons and evenings once it gets dark, but your brain will really thank you if you can brave a walk after your dinner.

As well as helping your body to digest your food properly, being outdoors after dark also causes the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone. When melatonin is released, your brain knows that it’s time to start winding down. This means that you’re more likely to have a night of restful, rejuvenating sleep than you would if you spent your evening watching TV or scrolling on your phone.  

Get in touch

If your healthy wintry walks have got you thinking about how you can improve your financial health, we can help. Email theteam@fortitudefp.co.uk or call us on 01327 354321.