As winter rolls in and the weather gets colder, it can be hard to keep in the healthy habit of going outside. But math teacher Bryan Black doesn’t let the cold stop him.
“I fish 12 months out of the year,” Black said. “I’ll do whatever I can to get out there. I change the times of day I start fishing – earlier in the morning when it’s hotter out and later in the morning when it’s colder out.”
Spending time out in nature can provide a crucial boost for your mental health. Conversely, staying inside all winter can have adverse effects.
Zoochosis is a condition found in captive animals, in which they end up engaging in repetitive behavior and developing depression. Ecopsychologist Vaughan Wilkins argues that humans also can struggle with this phenomenon in his article “Enculturated Captivity, Zoochosis, and Collective Trauma,” published by Psychology Today.
“Our culture has made all species captive in some way or another, including humans,” Wilkins writes. That excessive time spent indoors is contributing to mental health issues, he argues.
A related term that is more familiar to people is seasonal affective disorder.
“When the days grow shorter, and temperatures drop, millions of people find themselves grappling with the ‘winter blues,’ ” an article from the American Medical Association says.
To combat these seasonal blues, people should be “increasing outdoor activities so you can maximize your exposure to natural daylight during the day,” Dr. Adrian Jaques Ambrose said in the AMA article.
Black said going outside is crucial for his mental health.
“When I hear the birds chirping or see an eagle fly by or a fish I’m trying to catch eating bugs, it just helps me decompress,” Black said.
Senior Noah Saccani, meanwhile, enjoys the outdoors during the winter because of hunting.
“I love to hunt. It is so calming being in nature, and it is also very rewarding,” Saccani said.
French teacher Kathryn Streets started running cross country in ninth grade and has kept the habit of running in her adult life. She trains for and runs at least one marathon a year. Her dedication to running is not halted by the winter.
“I choose to go outside over being on the phone, no matter the weather,” she said.
Senior Alex Castaneda, a member of the indoor track team, also enjoys running, even outside in the colder months.
“When it is too cold outside to run, we have to run in the hallways of the school. During indoor track, we try to run outside as much as possible,” Castaneda said. “The surface is a lot better outside, and even when it is cold, it is better than being inside.”
Junior Emmet Williams is a Boy Scout who has a year-round relationship with nature. While the weather may alter his activities, he never lets it stop them.
“I do a lot of outdoor-related activities in the summer. In the winter, it’s just important to wear the right gear and maybe try some different activities,” he said. “Without the proper gear, it can be painful, but it’s always worth it.”
Not everyone, though, is able to keep up with being outdoors during winter weather.
Junior Robbie Andrulonis is captain of the varsity golf team. He spends a large amount of the warmer months outside, and he notices the benefits.
“I love spending my time in the sun, and it does help my mood,” Andrulonis said.
But he acknowledges having trouble getting outside to golf in the cold.
“I don’t like the conditions. Golf isn’t a quick game, and you find yourself freezing,” he said. “Driving ranges are a more comfortable way to continue with my hobbies.”
Even if you’re someone who prefers not to go outside in cold weather, indoor physical activity will still provide some mental health benefits.
English teacher Jason Dolak found his passion for biking after Covid to get in shape. He believes you don’t need to be outside to maintain your physical and mental health through exercise.
“I purchased an indoor bike to continue riding during the winter months, and it has done wonders for my physical and mental health,” Dolak said. “While it’s not as entertaining as the outdoors, I still enjoy my workouts, and it allows me to keep up with the progress I made when the weather was nicer.”
For people who struggle to find things to do outdoors but can’t shake off the desire to be outside, a good place to start could be with an organization like Venture Outdoors. The nonprofit offers a wide variety of programs, including everything from fishing and winter sports to hiking during the winter months.
Luke Borowy, the director of paddle sports at Venture Outdoors, said the group organizes many affordable outside activities all year long. Winter activities include snowshoe hiking in Frick Park and beginner snowboarding lessons.
“Just getting outside makes a big difference. In the winter, I’ll go on hikes pretty frequently,” he said.
At a young age, Borowy found himself inside a lot, but once he joined a Scout program, his love for the outdoors began.
“I’m glad I found this passion. It has really shaped who I am as a person,” he said.
Borowy encourages everyone to start small with local activities. Even walking your dog a few times a day counts as getting outdoors.
Another group to consider is called Walk With a Doc, a global organization with three Pittsburgh chapters. Each Walk With a Doc community walk session features a volunteer healthcare provider who first discusses a health topic and then leads the walk.
Bryan Romey is the program manager for Walk With a Doc and has been involved since 2018. He was introduced in college, when he was studying health sciences at Ohio State and he was paired with the organization.
The program’s goal is to help people increase their physical activity, social connection, health knowledge, and time spent outdoors. He believes that the beauty of the organization is its simplicity.
“I really fell in love with the idea of bringing healthcare to people in a relaxed way,” he said. “Exercise doesn’t have to be scary.”
The group even has opportunities to engage virtually.
“Walking is one of the simplest ways to get encouragement on a fitness journey,” he said.
