Make the most of the shorter days and colder temperatures by connecting with family and friends.
Check out these fun ways of staying active with your family and friends this winter, whether inside or out in the great outdoors:
- Grab your toques and gloves and head outside to play. Outdoor play in all seasons supports healthy child development and promotes stronger connections with family and friends. Need some new ideas? Check out the Around the World Outdoor Games Booklet by Live 5-2-1-0.
- Spend a day at your local community recreation centre. Try ice skating, go swimming, get in a quick workout at the gym, take part in a family game of basketball, sign up for a chair-yoga class or bring your little ones to a play group.
- Get active with art. You can exercise and experience the beauty of art at the same time with a stroll through an art gallery: The Burnaby Art Gallery is entrance by donation, the Surrey Art Gallery is free and the Reach Gallery Museum in Abbotsford offers entrance by donation.
- Head for the hills. Take your family to a local hill or mountain and go tobogganing, snowshoeing or skiing. Not interested in the slopes? Have fun building a snowman, a fort or a snow house.
- Be an outdoor explorer. Take a brisk walk and explore a new neighbourhood together you’re your family or friends. Discover shops, restaurants and playgrounds. Try wandering Port Moody, Fort Langley, South Surrey or Harrison Hot Springs for some new scenery. Go on a winter scavenger hunt to find craft-making items such as holly leaves, acorns, leaves and pine cones. You could even score some bonus points with mother nature by bringing along a pair of tongs, gloves and a trash bag and help clean up a park or street along your route.
- Get creative about getting off screens. Even if you have to stay indoors, you can still stay active. Do yoga with your kids in the living room, hold a dance party, build an obstacle course with pillows, play a game of hide and seek or fly paper planes and chase them. Read more ideas for 100 screen-free activities you can do with your family.
- Take advantage of the rain and go puddle jumping, or put on some rain boots, grab an umbrella, and get a little muddy on your local trails. Try the Ladner Marsh trails, Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, or the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. Combine your puddle jumping with bird watching or winter beachcombing.
- Take active mini-breaks during a busy workday. Go for a quick walk or take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can.
- Make physical activity part of your everyday chores. Raking leaves, shoveling snow, vacuuming, and walking the dog are all great ways to stay active during the day.
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Keep moving
- Start small. Step outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes, and take a few deep breaths.
- Make sure you have a proper waterproof raincoat, boots and other appropriate gear that will keep you warm and dry. They don’t have to cost a lot, great lightly used items can be found on marketplace or at your local thrift store.
- If the weather stops you from going outside, keep moving at home with light stretching or – try a free online yoga or fitness class.
- Try a fitness class at your community centre – they often offer low-cost classes and swim passes for all ages and abilities.
- Sign up for a charity run in the spring, so you have a goal and then start training by yourself or with a running club. Search online for any free running groups in your area.
- If you work during daylight hours, invite a co-worker to go for a short walk at lunch time.
- If you work evening shifts, get up a little earlier to enjoy some outdoor daylight, even if it’s raining.
- Ask your neighbour if you can take their dog for a walk.
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Stay connected
People who are more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover they have higher levels of self-esteem, empathy for others and are more cooperative and trusting. Social connection is not about how many friends you have, it is the experience of feeling close to others and a sense of belonging with a community.
- Keep in touch with friends, family and neighbours – call someone or plan for a video call.
- Invite someone over for crafts, games, food or to make cookies or dinner.
- Join an outdoor or mall walking group.
- If you’re unable to go far, hang out in your building or complex’s communal area.
- Take care of oneself – find what makes you feel good inside and make time every day.
- Start a winter book club - talk to your local library for suggestions and help.
- Reconnect with faith based/spiritual events.
- Volunteer with local conversational groups and connect with someone who is feeling isolated. Check out this posting for social prescribing volunteer.
- Check in with a neighbour.
- Contact your local SPCA or city animal shelter for a visit or volunteer opportunities.
- Ask for help. People are willing to help us but if we don’t ask, they assume we don’t need help.
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Deal with debt
There are many reasons we spend more money during the winter months. Debt can be a major stressor, and can lead to increased worry, loss of sleep and changes to appetite.
Naming and dealing with the problem can help.
The Credit Counselling Society is a registered charity and not-for-profit organization that can provide resources from managing money to using credit responsibly to assistance with debt solutions. They also offer an online service called myMoneyCoach where you will find money management resources and webinars.
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Seek help for substance use if you have concerns
People sometimes increase their substance use during the winter or during the holidays.
If you are concerned about your substance use, visit a community substance use services clinic for counselling or one of our Rapid Access to Addiction Care clinics for a medical assessment.
If you use substances that could put you at risk of an overdose, follow these steps:
- Don’t use alone
- Make a plan with people you are using with in case someone overdoses
- Start slow, go slow, especially after taking a break from use
- Don’t mix different drugs or drugs and alcohol
- Get your drugs checked
- Learn more about naloxone and carry a kit
- If you use alone, use the Lifeguard app
Learn more about overdose prevention.