Get Outside to Beat the Winter Blues

The shorter, darker days of winter can take a toll. But according to TurfMutt's Mutt Mulligan, there is an easy fix for a case of the winter blues. Get outside.

It’s hard to argue with a dog’s enthusiasm for spending time outside, and there are many good reasons to follow their lead, even in winter. Mulligan the TurfMutt loves the snow and wants to be outside even when it's cold.

Exposure to cold temperatures increases your energy levels and can sharpen your mental focus. Cold weather can also reduce inflammation and swelling. (Think if it like a cold plunge bath or ice pack for your entire body!) Spending time outside fires up your metabolism, and you actually burn more calories when it’s cold than hot. Additionally, being outside helps boost your Vitamin D levels, which tend to fall during the shorter, gray days of winter.

Here are a few tips on getting outside to beat the winter blues:

Go for a walk (and take the dog). Taking a walk through your neighborhood or community park is one of the easiest ways to get outside, any time of year. Bundle up the family and your dog to walk with you. Change up your route to keep it interesting, or visit a park you haven’t been to in a while.

Observe birds and wildlife. Birds and other wildlife can be fascinating to watch during the winter. Take a walk with wildlife-watching in mind to see how behaviors and habitats change in cold weather months versus other times of the year. Bring your kids along for an impromptu STEM lesson on neighborhood wildlife.

Unleash the fun. The best way to stay warm in the winter months is to keep moving. Have a snowball fight with your children. Create an obstacle course in your backyard or build a snow fort. Light a fire and invite friends to roast marshmallows.

Clean up your yard. It only takes a few minutes to get the benefits of being outside, so look around your yard to see what kind of tidying up you can do. Clear debris and pathways from areas you might need to clear of snow or clean out flowerbeds in anticipation of spring planting.

Plan for spring. If cold days have you dreaming of warmer temperatures, start making plans for what you want to plant when spring arrives. Sketch a map of your yard and research the best plantings for each activity zone you want to create. Check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Map to determine which plants are best for your microclimate so your plants will thrive with less work on your part. Think about how to creatively use plants to create privacy for an outdoor office or beautify your entertaining area.

For more, sign up for Mutt Mail, an e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from The TurfMutt Foundation here. To learn more about creating the yard of your dreams, visit TurfMutt.com. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show.