The great outdoors is beautiful at any time of year and that most definitely includes wintertime. In fact, winter has a particular beauty all of its own, from the big and expansive to the small and neat. Wrap up, step outside and find all the beauty that’s on display during these cold months. You’ll reap the benefits of time spent in the open air.

The big – enjoy the sky

One of the particularly lovely things about winter is the afternoon sky. I was watching it yesterday - pale dusty pink streaks interspersed with indigo and then, suddenly, it was all over. If I’d quickly put on my coat, scarf, hat and gloves (and it simply doesn’t take very long to do this at all) I could have walked along the road and really let the beauty of the sky soak into me. That’s what I’m going to do next time.

Starlings over Gretna. Birds. Outside

Starlings over Gretna. This is part of the large group of starlings at Gretna, numbering over 1 million, that congregate every evening at sunset during the winter months to perform an elaborate aerobatic display before roosting in nearby conifer plantations. © Walter Baxter and reused under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Walking

Yes, I could have stood in the garden to admire the sky but I get cold if I don’t move when I first get outside. I like walking rather than standing around because you see more and there are also all those excellent side-effects we hear about: staying healthy, getting fitter, reducing stress levels and improving mood, attention and concentration.

The small - study the frost or the raindrops on plants

Look really closely at a raindrop or some frost and you will never dismiss it lightly again. And it will help you. Pausing and spending a short time in nature has some powerful effects, according to research, including reduced blood pressure and perhaps keeping our brains healthier in later life.

Frost on a nettle, Netherlands. Frosty. Outside

Frost on a nettle, Netherlands. © Vincent van Zeijst and licensed for reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0

Conversing or precious time alone

Being outside in winter can give you precious time alone (and that can be worth a king’s ransom in the Christmas and New Year period) or an opportunity to chat and share some time away from the stuffy indoors. If it's really cold a patio heater may help.

January jobs in the garden. Outside

Be prepared for snow and ice in January gardens. Depending on the weather January could be like this image of Monsal Dale, by Peter Barr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13852022 by .

Venture out and explore this winter. Wrap up warm, think positive thoughts and get outside. You won’t regret it.