As the colder days approach, it is all too tempting to stay inside and enjoy the cosy warmth under a heap of blankets.

We need to remember that there is, however, still a world out there ready to be enjoyed. It is easy to fall out of love with the natural world during autumn and winter, but here is a helpful list of all the ways you can nurture your relationship with nature. 

Walks

A simple yet very effective one.

Going on walks is good for both the body and the soul. It is also a great way to refresh after a long day of work, or at the beginning of a very busy day.

By walking out in the cold, for those who are able, you can notice all of the miraculous ways the plants and wildlife adapt to the changing season.

A more precise suggestion is going on an early morning ‘dew’ walk. These types of walks are done in the hours after sunrise, when the dew still covers the grass and plants.

Especially if it is sunny, these dew walks are a remedy to the winter blues. This also makes one feel very productive as it requires an early start – benefits upon benefits. 

A Book Date 

As an advocate for self-dating, a book date is a perfect way to enjoy natural spaces as well as enjoy your own company.

A fun and cheap way to do this is by bundling up in a big coat and scarf, bringing along a book and a carrier bag to sit on in case the bench is wet.

From there, go to your local natural space, find an empty bench and spend the time in the beautiful wintery environment with a book just embracing life.

A way to upgrade this is by grabbing a hot drink en route, or by having a chat with another person who is sitting in the same park – for some reason the universe has brought you both here today so why not strike up a conversation! 

Leaf Picking 

A really fun way to make the most of natural spaces is by collecting fallen leaves that you can then dry and make into an autumn leaf bouquet.

To do this, collect the leaves, leave them on a windowsill for roughly 3 days or until they are crispy then attach small twigs to the bottoms and voila, you have a leaf bouquet.

You may encounter the edges of your drying leaves beginning to curl, but this can be sorted by playing a couple of small pebbles along the edges of each leaf whilst they are drying.

This is also such a lovely low cost gift for friends and family. 

Litter Picking 

Litter in natural spaces has been an epidemic for many years. But winter is a great time to grab a pair of gloves, a litter picker, and a bin bag and start cleaning up natural spaces.

Doing voluntary work like this gives you a real sense of purpose and positivity, and a well deserved hot drink after is always a good feeling.

This activity definitely gets you out into nature as well as helping the community. 

Release Your Inner Child 

Sometimes adult life can be draining, so it’s great to release your inner child and have fun! Natural spaces during autumn and winter are perfect for letting your free spirit fly.

One way to do this is to go bare feet in the mud. It’s very random and a little bit messy but can be great fun to do. When was the last time your bare feet felt the earth that nourishes this planet?

Well, this is a sign and an excuse to do so. Another way to unleash your inner child is to jump in puddles. Winter brings inevitable rainy days, especially in the UK, and it can be a good laugh to grab some wellies or waterproof boots and jump about in puddles, enjoying the splash and simplicity of the beauty of nature.

This can be really fun during the evening, when it gets dark after a long stressful day of work. A final way to embrace autumn incarnate, is to run and dance through a field of fallen orange tree leaves.

Admittedly, all of this is a great way to have fun during the winter whilst keeping a playful and fun atmosphere alive. 

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