ParkTalk Blog: Ways to Stay Active and Mindful During the Winter

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Every winter, people tend to follow the example of most mammals and hibernate away from the chilly outdoors. The cold weather can turn even the most active individual towards a sedentary lifestyle. While it may be tempting to stay cozy at home, being active during the winter months (outside of the occasional snow shoveling) is necessary for promoting overall physical and mental health. Exercise and other related activities improve mood and reduce stress, which can help guard against the pitfalls that low temperatures and shorter days bring. As an organization that promotes healthy lives and minds, the Naperville Park District provides many recreational opportunities to help the community stay active and in a good frame of mind throughout the winter.

Fort Hill Activity Center 

A look at the various cardio equipment offered at Fort Hill Activity Center.

Joining a fitness center is an effective way to get motivated to stay active year-round, and the Park District’s award-winning Fort Hill Activity Center provides a wide array of indoor recreation activities. The over 8,600 square foot fitness center includes 50 pieces of cardio equipment, a variety of free weights and resistance machines, and an indoor track for walkers and joggers. Additionally, members have access to open gyms, personal trainers and group exercise classes led by nationally certified instructors. Fort Hill Activity Center is the best place to go if you have new health and wellness goals as the facility offers many options that will fit the diverse needs of many different kinds of fitness journeys. 

While fitness centers can be intimidating to new members, the community at Fort Hill Fitness Center is supportive of everyone who walks in. That support goes beyond physical fitness goals as the sense of belonging and community continually encourages members to come back. Instructors and trainers understand the mental and physical importance of exercise and are willing to assist patrons every day. While a fitness membership is the best way to receive all the benefits, Fort Hill Activity Center also offers daily guest passes for the fitness center, indoor track and open gym to encourage any type of physical activity – especially during the winter.

At Home Activities

Stock photo of a man doing squats at home.

There are winter days when the temperature or precipitation prevents you from driving to the gym. However, if you are still looking to get a good workout, there are plenty of activities you can do in the comfort of your own home. First and foremost, members of Fort Hill Activity Center can participate in virtual group exercise classes, allowing them to take part in an instructor-led workout without having to venture through unruly winter weather. If you aren’t interested in participating in a virtual group exercise class, there are still ways to be active at home. A variety of bodyweight workouts can be done anywhere without needing equipment. Exercises such as planks, push-ups, squats and many other bodyweight routines are incredibly effective ways to build muscle. 

Workouts aren’t the only way to improve wellness during the winter. Meditation can be a great way to stay mindful while at home, as it improves mental health by reducing stress, regulating emotions, and controlling anxiety. While it is possible to mediate anywhere, home is where people tend to feel the most comfortable at any time of the day. There are various meditation practices you can find online and explore. Even if it is only for a couple minutes a day, mediating will leave you feeling at peace and connected with yourself all winter long. 

Winter Sports

Skater at Centennial Park's ice rink practicing their hockey skills.

Sledding on a snowy day and ice skating on an outdoor rink are activities typically associated with winter living. With the right winter conditions, they provide a brief reprieve from sheltering inside and encourage outdoor play and socialization – making for a great seasonal way to be active. Sledders and snowboarders need to trek up the hill every time they want a fun trip down, which develops leg strength and improves endurance. Even as they travel down the hill, core engagement and balance are essential in maintaining stability. Similarly with ice skating, balance and coordination are key to gliding around the rink. Skating involves a variety of muscle groups, including core and legs, and improves cardio. Even if you are a novice skater, skating is a fun activity to do with friends, meaning you can enjoy the health benefits of the activity while making a fun winter memory.

The Park District provides skating rinks and sled hills throughout Naperville. These winter facilities are maintained from December to February, weather conditions permitting. Outdoor ice rinks are open after a stretch of consistently cold temperatures of 15 degrees or below, and hockey is permitted on the boarded rinks at Centennial Park. Sled hills are open when the soil is frozen and there are two or more inches of snow on the ground. Inner tubes, snowboards and plastic sleds are allowed at each hill. The District updates the status of its rinks at www.napervilleparks.org/cancellations and by raising a red or green flag at each location. The locations of the facilities can be found at www.napervilleparks.org/wintersportsfacilities.

Winter Hikes and Trail Walks

The cleared trail through Wil-O-Way Park following snowfall.

Despite bitterly cold temperatures, there are the occasional milder winter days when residents take advantage of the momentary relief to spend time outdoors. Residents continually express the importance of having access to trails, and the Naperville Park District works hard to keep them passable year-round. After snowfall or ice accumulation, the Park District begins working diligently to clear trails and paths in select parks across the community. Starting with the Riverwalk and the DuPage River Trail, the two most popular trails in the community, ice and snow are cleared with specialized equipment such as motorized brooms and plows. Other trails are cleared soon afterwards, often on the same day, allowing residents to stay active in the wintery fresh air. Additionally, the Park District offers programs where individuals and families can hike the trail at Knoch Knolls Park with a naturalist and explore what their local environment is like during the winter.

Similar to other exercises, walking and hiking are incredibly beneficial to your physical and mental health. Not only do daily walks provide the same benefits as other activities, but walkers also receive vitamin D from the sun’s rays – a critical nutrient our bodies lack during the winter due to shorter and darker days. Low levels of vitamin D can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as seasonal depression. Staying active, particularly outdoors, can help combat this issue. 

The Naperville Park District maintains long stretches of Naperville trails throughout the winter and encourages residents to utilize them during the season so they can enjoy healthy lives and healthy minds not just during the winter season, but also all year long. To learn more about the Naperville Park District’s snow clearing efforts and find out which parks have plowed trails and paths, visit www.napervilleparks.org/snowclearing.