Welcome to our 2024 Christmas countdown calendar of kindness, warmth, wellness and community spirit! Each day until Christmas we will be sharing info on how to help one another stay safe and well.
When it’s cold outside, it can often be tempting to stay bundled up indoors. But getting out and spending time in nature can do wonders for our wellbeing, particularly during the winter – and once you get going, you might be surprised how quicky you warm up!
In fact, research suggests spending as little as twenty minutes in natural spaces has been associated with reducing the stress hormone cortisol. This is likely to be beneficial for many of us at a time of year that can be overstimulating and overwhelming at times.
Warwickshire’s country parks offer the perfect sanctuary to unwind in nature over the festive period. Enjoy woodland trails, rolling hills and lakeside ambles, with cafés available for warming up at Kingsbury Water Park, Ryton Pools Country Park, Pooley Country Park, and Stratford Greenway, plus the weekend mobile café at Hartshill Hayes Country Park. Play areas can be found at Ryton Pools, Kingsbury Water Park, Hartshill Hayes and Pooley Country Park. Plan your next visit here.
Stay safe by checking the weather before you go to avoid any severe conditions, wrapping up warm, taking a fully charged phone, sticking to daylight hours, and bringing a torch in case the dusk creeps up on you.
To connect with others and get inspired by nature through organised events, check the Country Parks Eventbrite page.
You can also sign up to hear about activities and events at the country parks through the Warwickshire Country Parks newsletter.
We’ll see you tomorrow for day 17 of our Christmas countdown calendar!
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