I still can’t believe winter hikes have become a part of my spiritual self-care game.
I never thought I would ever utter the words, “it’s never too cold for a hike,” but after seeing the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of hiking in the cold, I can honestly attest to the hype.
My relationship with the cold changed in 2017. I had a time gap in between jobs and knew it would be now or never to finally take that cross-country road trip I had been daydreaming about my whole life. I drove around from Jersey to Chicago to North Dakota down to Colorado and Texas stopping in New Orleans, Atlanta and North Carolina to see friends on my way home.
I spent about a month driving to national parks I had only read about, taking solo hikes I thought I couldn’t do and teared up when I saw the snow capped mountains at Grand Teton National Park. This is quite the generational jump considering my Peruvian mother flocks to the homeland the minute it goes below 45 degrees. I now associate the cold with freedom, adventure and serious joy. That trip was one of the greatest decisions of my life and part of the inspiration behind a community I created called Reclama, where I help women of color reconnect with nature while teaching them spiritual grounding techniques through hikes.
Sharing this new found love of the cold with the women on our hikes has helped them change how they view winter, been a huge confidence booster, and been an adventure to hold onto throughout the season. It only takes one winter hike to no longer feel like the cold came for you. Combine that with sharing circles, a sacred smoke ceremony and journaling, and we’ve created a whole different kind of intention to our time outside in the cold.
Benefits of Being Outside in the Cold
Let’s start with the peace and quiet, especially if there’s snow on the ground. There are also less people out on the trails so say goodbye to crowds. If you’ve got fitness goals, your body burns more calories when you’re out and about in the cold. And, probably the most important, if you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), count on that being reduced simply by just being out in the sun all day. You will have filled your cup up with feel good hormones.
Did I mention no bugs?
The best way I can describe winter hiking to those who have never ventured out is that even though you may be uncomfortable and cold at first, once you start moving, your body will warm up and you will wonder what you were ever scared of in the first place.
Adjusting Your ‘Cold Weather’ Mindset
Take the one time this past winter where we woke up to almost perfect snow flurries and almost every hiker was convinced I was going to cancel our Love Yo’Self Hike. The only way I could justify if the hike was safe or not – even though I chose a very flat trail – was to check it out myself. So, around sunrise I picked up an extra strong cup of coffee, tested out the hike and shared photos and videos with them to assure them nothing but a winter wonderland awaited.
They were in shock to say the least. But all 17 hikers showed up on that snowy day. As they stepped out of their cars, everyone greeted each other with so much excitement and awe.
“This is amazing! I can’t believe I actually made it! I thought you were going to cancel,” to which I nodded no and handed them herbal tea. Showing up is truly half the battle.
Hikers keep coming back because they say the winter outings in particular have helped them heal, transform, grow, reduce stress, and reclaim their confidence again. That’s huge for anyone, especially women of color who are disproportionately susceptible to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Healing in nature doesn’t have to stop in the fall.
What a Winter Hike Is Like
Many started the hike a little hesitant not sure what to expect but once we reached the midway point they realized they were surrounded by picturesque trees and endless untouched snow. And, all of that anxiety dissipated. It was replaced with wonder and, probably most importantly, being present. They couldn’t believe it. One hiker said it felt like she was in a snowglobe.
You can take breaks but not for too long. Think 3-5 minutes, if that. Appropriate gear is always a must and they help make the trek way more comfortable. Believe me, I’ve learned the hard way that there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. I make sure to over prepare my winter hiking bag with warm snacks, hand warmers, extra layers, hot tea and other appropriate winter gear that makes it all worth it in 20 degree weather on top of a mountain somewhere.
If trauma lives in the body, then our self-care and healing must include movement. This is still true even when it’s cold outside. Plus, if there’s snow on the ground, it’s actually easier on the knees due to the lack of impact. The cold also helps bring on clarity and a sense of peace. Human beings are hardwired to honor transitions in life with ceremony and ritual. They help give us a sense of structure in life and make time to check in with ourselves and possibly express ourselves in ways we might not normally do at home or work.
Working With Nature’s Cycles
Winter may feel like an impossible season to enjoy but trekking it outside for even a short adventure out in the cold can make all the difference. This month’s Winter Solstice Hike didn’t grace us with snow but it did feel like the last fall day of the year. It was chilly but everyone walked away feeling better than they came in, their bodies at ease and so grateful to have met like-minded women of color in the tri-state area.
With every experience out in nature I have found we get as much as we give. That level of reciprocity needs to be there in order for it to be a proper exchange. Reciprocity is one of the 5 principles of Andean way of life. Similar concepts exist in other cultures like what Filipinos call the bayanihan spirit or how the Cherokee use gadugi when coming together for the greater cause.
Bottomline: Even if you can’t get outside for a winter hike then head to your local park on a snowy day, put your phone away, and pay attention to what being outside feels like from top to bottom. Finding a way to be present out in nature, even for just 15 minutes, will make a difference for your mental health the rest of the day, perhaps until the end of the week.
Why fight against the cold? It’s here. We might as well layer up, get the hot chocolate ready and make peace with the stillness of the season. Embrace the slowness of it all and use that time to reflect. Make a commitment to yourself to go out for a winter hike this season with friends. Give yourself a chance to change up your relationship with the cold. Add intention and space to just be and I promise you’ll walk out better than you came in. Happy wintering.
