Your guide to wellness Outside Chicago this winter

Could you use a boost this winter? There are so many health benefits to spending time outside in nature, even (or especially) when it’s chillier outside. Whether you call it forest bathing, forest therapy or just plain getting some fresh air, the results are the same: lower stress, better mood, sharper focus, greater feelings of connection and better sleep.

Ask the Expert

Just ask Alicia Frizzle, a local Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide. Frizzle leads nature hikes, guided sessions and special events to help people take advantage of all the good stuff nature has to offer.

She says clients often report feeling calmer, more insightful and uplifted after an outdoor session. Others report a greater feeling of belonging and safety.

“One memorable client beautifully shared how observing the wind moving some leaves but not others seemed to mirror their thoughts—some loud, others peaceful,” she says. “This revelation taught them to focus on the calmer thoughts and find peace within.”

But the benefits go beyond health and wellness, she points out. “Nature teaches us invaluable life lessons and resilience, tools we can carry to enrich our daily lives.”

Frizzle is no stranger to Chicago winters or work/life stress. Before becoming a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, she was a Commercial Portfolio Manager, overseeing operations and leading teams.

“When work pressures mounted, I discovered that stepping outside, breathing in fresh air or taking a brief walk helped me reset my mind and rejuvenate my energy,” she shares. Eventually, she learned to prioritize her well-being and then began to look into how to turn her passion into a full-time career.

How to Benefit

To reap the benefits of nature immersion, there’s no set formula for how much time you need to spend. Some experts say as little as five minutes can make a difference. But the results can be significant; Frizzle says the impact can last over a week.

There’s also no set rule for what you need to do once you’re outside. Some people prefer sitting quietly in natural surroundings; others prefer vigorous activity. It’s more about what makes you feel good, so feel free to experiment with different types of activities.

Even in Winter

It’s especially important to make the effort to spend time outside in nature in the winter.

“Don’t let the cold deter you,” says Frizzle. She encourages people to “embrace the season” by dressing warmly and capping their experience off with a hot beverage.

In winter, she enjoys hiking and snowy activities like snowshoeing, tubing, cross-country skiing and even making snow angels and building snowmen. Some of her favorite nature spots in suburban Cook County are the Palos Trail System (southwest suburbs), Deer Grove (Palatine), and a newly discovered gem – the SEPA Station 4 Waterfall Park in Worth.