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Everyone's wondering if we're going to have a white Christmas this year. The Met Office says snow is a possibility, but unlikely, as temperatures for December have been generally milder than normal, following storm disruption at the start of the month.
While the temperature in the south of England and Wales is likely to drop significantly on Christmas Eve, just in time for the big day, it is more likely to be frosty. Areas of the Northwest are set to be slightly milder on 25th December than in the south of England.
While a band of snow is predicted to move towards the UK from Europe from midnight on Christmas Day, most of it is expected to fall over the sea, although a few coastal parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland might be lucky!
Outdoor health benefits
Whatever the weather, it shouldn't stop families from enjoying some outdoor activities during the Christmas break.
For adults, outdoor activities bring many physical and mental health benefits. A simple walk in the fresh air, especially if you have trees and nature around you, can reduce stress and lower your blood pressure, as it counters our stress-related hormones, adrenaline and cortisol.
Outdoor activities help us as we grow older, according to research published in the Journal of Aging and Health. People over 70 who spend time outdoors have fewer sleeping problems, visit their GP less with aches and pains and have better mobility, so they can perform more everyday activities.
If a person has been ill, or had surgery, spending time outdoors, even just walking, can speed our recovery. In terms of mental health, it also improves our mood. Research has found being among nature makes people happy. Depression, anxiety and anger are reduced when we spend time outdoors.
The mental health charity, Mind, says being outside in natural light can help people with SAD - seasonal affective disorder - a type of depression that affects people, particularly in the winter.
Childhood obesity
For children who have difficulty staying focused, spending time outdoors can help them to concentrate. Being in the natural world permits our brain to take a break from the usual mental activities that can drain us. Studies have shown it can even reduce the symptoms of conditions such as ADHD. It's beneficial for children to get away from computers, gaming consoles and mobile devices, and getting out also keeps them physically fit.
Childhood obesity is becoming one of the biggest health issues in Britain today. According to government statistics, 35% of children aged ten and eleven years are overweight, including 21% who are clinically obese. Almost 10% of primary school children aged four to five are already overweight. The causes include an unhealthy diet, a lack of physical activities and family health and behaviour.
The government’s obesity strategy aims to reduce cases of childhood obesity by 50% by 2030, with the focus on encouraging behaviour changes, such as taking more exercise and promoting a healthier diet.
According to the NHS; the average adult in the UK walks between 3,000 and 4,000 steps per day. To really feel the health benefits, it recommends walking 10,000 steps a day, which is the equivalent of walking around five miles.
So, what are the best outdoor winter activities for people to try during the Christmas break? Read on for some ideas...
- Winter treasure hunt
Organisations such as the Woodland Trust encourage winter treasure hunts - also known as winter scavenger hunts. A fun activity for all the family, it involves going out into a woodland area, or your local park, to collect some simple items.
Winter treasures to collect can include a pinecone, a lichen-covered twig, a holly leaf, pine needles, an evergreen leaf and anything else you can think of on the landscape. Take some small plastic storage boxes with you to protect your finds.
- Winter picnic
Just because the weather is crisp doesn't mean you can't enjoy a winter picnic. Amend the menu to include food that will warm you up during or after a walk.
A steaming cup of hot soup, eaten with some crispy buttered rolls or croutons, is a great way to dine out if you're in woodland, or even in your local park. Finish off with a hot mug of cocoa or frothy coffee, served with mini marshmallows or muffins, to defrost cold fingers. Alternatively, if the kids don't like hot milky drinks, try diluting squash with hot water in your flask to make a warm fruity drink instead.
Store your rolls, muffins, sandwiches and other small food items in airtight Gastronorm food containers.
- Go sledging
If you live in an area where there's snow, sledging can be a great way to have an outdoor adventure. You don't need a top-of-the-range sledge to have fun! You can be truly inventive in how you slide. Even a battered old tin tea tray will do the job.
It's a great home-grown winter sport that everyone can enjoy. Take a flask or two of warm drinks and always keep a change of clothes in the car for when the kids get wet and muddy.
- Collect materials for winter crafts
Take the children out to collect natural materials for winter craft activities. There are multiple things you can make, but Christmas wreaths are among the seasonal favourites. You can make the frame with a wire coat hanger bent into a circular shape.
Then, decorate it with natural materials you can pick up in woodlands, parks, gardens and rural lanes. Collect items such as pinecones, holly leaves, any evergreen plant leaves or cuttings, acorns, twigs and anything else that looks decorative.
Collect your materials in Really Useful Boxes and then take them home for more festive fun making the decorations.
Enjoy your Christmas holiday, whatever the weather, and spend some productive family time in the great outdoors!