This mindfulness moment brought to you by nature….

Today’s blog post comes from past ecologist Corina Brdar. When Corina’s not working at Ontario Parks, she is actively involved in the growing nature journaling and mindfulness community.

It seems the term “mindfulness” is showing up everywhere in our lives these days. It can be a tricky concept to try out in your everyday life, though. An easy place to give it a try is in nature.

At the very least, some mindful time in nature can allow your busy brain a moment of rest and your nervous system an opportunity to hit pause. It can also bring a new richness to your outdoor experiences.

So what is mindfulness, and how do you “do” it in nature?

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5 ways to unplug and experience nature

This is your sign to trade your digital scrolling for some outdoor strolling!

Technology is amazing and offers us so many tools (including many we use for conservation in parks!). That said, balance is important, and humans can struggle with screentime.

Spending time in nature offers many physical and mental benefits, like a stronger immune system and reduced mental fatigue. Getting outside is particularly important in the winter, when there is less sunshine and the days are shorter.

Even with knowing all these health benefits, it can still be tough to unplug – so we put together a few steps to start you on your way:

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Health benefits of cross-country skiing

Staying active in the winter isn’t always easy. For some of us, it’s tempting to stay in, cuddle up, and spend the long winter months binging Netflix under a warm blanket.

Cross-country skiing boasts a wide array of benefits for your physical and mental health. Here’s why you should strap on some skis and spend your winter gliding through frozen forests and snow-covered trails:

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5 ways to beat the winter blues

January’s been a looong month.

The holidays have come and gone, and significant snowfall has just begun around the province.

It’s no surprise that January’s also seen as a “blue” month, with short days, little sunshine, and very cold weather making it difficult to prioritize time outside.

Feeling a bit… off? Fear not!

We’ve collected a few tips to try to help you beat the blues and make your winter feel a bit brighter:

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A beginner’s guide to snowshoeing

This winter, outdoor activities are a great option to keep you happy and healthy. It’s the perfect time to try something new – like snowshoeing!

For any winter activity, planning ahead and a bit of research can go a long way to make sure your day is safe and fun!

So what does a beginner snowshoer need to know?

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Mental health benefits of getting outside this winter

Getting outdoors in Ontario this winter may be brisk, but it comes with a whole host of benefits for your mood and health.

The winter season notoriously brings cold weather, shorter days, and too much time cooped up indoors. It can even trigger a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

All the more reason not to hibernate!

Let’s look at some of the very real mental health benefits of the outdoors during the winter season:

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Christmas Bird Count — keep the community science tradition going!

Today’s post comes from Cortney LeGros, the Healthy Parks Healthy People coordinator at Ontario Parks.

The holiday season is steeped in tradition.

No matter how you celebrate, there’s one scientific tradition that’s been around for over 120 years to help mark the holidays.

For me, the holidays would not be complete without participating in at least one Christmas Bird Count.

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Why it’s important for children to play outside in winter

Every winter, as the temperatures drop, so does the amount of time we spend outside. This is especially true for children — playtime can become limited to the indoors.

It may be tempting to hide inside until the weather warms up, but outdoor play is essential for your children’s well-being all year long.

Here are some of the top reasons why you should get your kids outside and active this winter:

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