MAKANDA (WSIL) -- Being cooped up in the winter especially during times like these can be an issue for your health. Hiking offers health benefits even in the winter.
"The research is out there. It makes us happy. It makes us healthier and maybe in this age of the pandemic it gives us a much needed repreive from the inside," says Brian Croft, Assisstant Director of Programs at Touch of Nature.
Croft says even though it's cold winter is one of the best times to hit the trail.
"You walk in the woods and you may not realize that your 20 feet from a creek or a huge cliff but because all of the leaves are down the visibility is amazing. Getting able to see over some of these ridges and over the cliffs and canyons, you don't have those views in the summer months," explains Croft.
Patrick Jones, Marketing & Publicity Coordinator, says there's no such thing as bad weather as long as you're prepared.
"For instance wearing appropriate footwear. Dressing appropriately in layers. I like to wear wool gloves in the winter because they keep my hands warm," says Jones.
When heading outdoors it's also important to protect the environment by leaving no trace.
"For example an orange peel. A lot of people don't know that, oh it's an orange peel if I just throw is out that's not litter it's fruit but that can actually take two years to decompose and that can effect anything from animal feeding to all kinds of stuff," adds Croft.
Getting outside offers a great way to social distance along with a change of scenery.
"Even though you're outside please remember social distancing. You might meet somebody along the trail. Perfectly okay to have a mask with you and quite frankly it's just being polite and courteous to other people along the trail," states Jones.
Touch of Nature is offering Leave No Trace classes to help teach proper outdoor education. Click for more information. You can also find local trails to explore .
