Unlike the first lockdown, we now have to endure the cold and wet - making it very unappealing to get up and go outside. It's understandable that home workouts are not for everyone, especially if you don't have space at home for it. So, getting outside when gyms are closed is incredibly important for both your physical and mental health. Even 15 minutes of fresh air a day can have an immensely positive impact on your mood and also helps to get your heart rate up for some good cardio.

Whilst it's much easier to stay curled up on the couch with a cuppa, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve to help you layer up and brave the cold.

1. Track Your Steps & Set Personal Goals

You don't need a fancy pedometer to count your steps - smartphones have the ability to track this in the Health App for iPhones and the Google Fit App for Android devices. Setting a goal to reach 5,000-10,000 steps per day is a great way to feel more motivated to go outside for a brisk walk. You can even set yourself weekly goals and increase the number of steps you need to take each week.


2. Listen To A Podcast Or Audiobook

You don't have to go outside in complete silence - a great way to make outdoor walks more enjoyable is to listen to an engaging podcast or audiobook. There are various free apps available for audiobooks on the App Store and Google Play, and Spotify also has a huge selection of free podcasts too.

Another trick to encourage you to leave your home is to tell yourself you can only carry on listening to a podcast or audiobook when you're outside. That way you're forced to get some fresh air to enjoy the next few chapters!

3. Practise Training With Your Dog

If you're lucky enough to have a furry friend at home then you'll know they pretty much force you to go outside for walks. But going on the same walk every day can become a little dull, especially when it's freezing cold and you just want to get it over with. So why not take the opportunity to teach your pet a new trick or aim to improve their skills in areas such as heeling, staying, fetching, etc.?

If you set a goal to teach your dog something new over a couple of weeks, you might be surprised at how much you'll look forward to seeing their progress every time you head outdoors. It's fun for both you and your furry partner in crime!


4. Take Photos On Your Walks & Get Creative

Seeing your surroundings from a new perspective is not only fun, but it can also help you to appreciate the beauty around you. Something creative you can do to make your daily walks a little more exciting is to snap a few photos of what you see. Whether that be close-up shots of nature, the sky, or even buildings around you. Look for interesting patterns and textures for some variety.

When you're back home you can then take this activity further by printing out an album of your findings or start drawing and painting from the photos you've taken. This is especially great for children and teens, and can help them to feel excited by their surroundings with a little creative spark!

5. Leave A Reward For Yourself At Home

There's nothing like coming back from a chilly walk to a delicious treat, snack, or fun activity. It's been proven through the 3 R's of Habit Formation that rewarding yourself for completing a positive habit is critical to be able to keep it up long-term. When it comes to exercise the reward can be as simple as a boost in your mood after a workout.

But you can take it a step further by rewarding yourself with something you truly enjoy, whether that be a soothing bath, yummy hot chocolate, your favourite movie, the list goes on. Then, you'll have something to look forward to when you return from the bitterly cold outdoors!


6. Make A Game Out Of It For Your Kids

It can be a struggle to entice children to go outside when it's grey and miserable. So making every outing a fun activity is vital to keep them interested (and to make it an easier experience for parents too)! A couple of things you can do is adding a few treats in your kids' pockets which they can reward themselves with after reaching certain goals. This can be after walking a certain distance, or after they spot a specific number of objects like blue front doors or even lamp posts.

You can also get your children to go through the alphabet, spotting things around them that begin with each letter. This both distracts them from the cold and lets them practice valuable educational skills to take back to the classroom.

We hope some of these tips and tricks inspire you to dress up warm and face the cold head on - you won't regret it!