Emma Malcolmson
VisitScotland
Winter can be a bit like marmite. You either love it, or you hate it. As the weather creeps colder and colder, it can be easy to draw the curtains and resort to staying indoors where you can guarantee warmth, not to mention dryness! But it can be easy to fall into a slog when robbed of that vital vitamin D.
At WanderWomen, we know it can be challenging to beat the winter blues and get those happy hormones flowing. That’s why we’ve teamed up with VisitScotland to offer 50% normal ticket prices until 18th February 2022 to give you a winter day out without breaking the bank.
Spending time outdoors shouldn’t just be reserved for summer. In fact, venturing outdoors into the crisp winter air can reap the same, if not more, restorative and rewarding wellness benefits than any other time of year. Here are just a few of the ways you can refresh your mind this winter with WanderWomen.
Boost your creativity with a little Wander
Studies have shown that even just taking a short stroll – at any time of the year or day – can result in fundamental improvements in our brain function and mental focus. Studies have also shown that people who spend more time outdoors are typically double as creative as those who spend most of their days indoors. Fear not if you have an office job – it isn’t a creativity death sentence!
Our Mindful Midday Wander is the perfect midday break from reality if your job allows you to work flexible hours. Typically taking around an hour and a half, this walk will enable you to integrate movement medicine, not to mention forming connections with other people and being at one with nature!
Self-care should be an intrinsic part of our lives, especially for developing teen brains. For all the mamas of teen girls out there, we offer our Mama and Teen Daughter Wander. This beautiful experience offers some special 1:1 time with your teenage daughter whilst trying new things by taking time out to reflect on life and with each other!
You will undoubtedly leave any of our wander experiences feeling refreshed and happy to be alive. Don’t forget to wrap up warm – expect to be chilly otherwise!
Improve your wellness through water
Don’t get us wrong, we know swimming outdoors in the winter sounds a little far-fetched, impossible even, but the restorative benefits of water have come to light in recent years. Rather than focusing on water as something that can physically make us feel better, our Intro to Mindful Outdoor Swimming for Resilience focuses on how we can use the water to boost those happy hormones we previously mentioned.
By immersing yourself, quite literally, in blue spaces, you will undoubtedly feel refreshed. Once you’ve become accustomed to the (sometimes sub-zero) temperatures of the water, you will feel a sense of calm and centring wash over you, leaving you ready to take on the day.
Remember always to bring a warm change of clothes – you’re going to need them!
