Winter Wellness in Concord, NH

Penumbra

Welcome to 2024. For many of us, January brings feelings of overwhelm and stress, affecting our personal and work lives. Although some residents of New England can experience the “Winter Blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, an appropriate acronym), Concord’s natural beauty and local diversions are the perfect antidote. This blog features tips and tricks to improve your wellness in New Hampshire’s frigid winter months.

Recognizing and understanding how our stress mechanisms operate provides valuable information to consciously make changes and adopt effective strategies to improve our wellbeing. As we evolved over millions of years, our primitive danger detection system, the Limbic System, kept us safe with bursts of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to propel us into life-saving action. Unfortunately, this fight-flight-freeze response, designed for acute and time-limited situations, has difficulty shutting off and now operates continuously, keeping many of us in a chronic state of physiological and emotional stress.

Living in this beautiful state of New Hampshire, we have an excellent tool to manage daily stress: Our natural environment. Yes, the mountains, lakes and beaches are the obvious stars of the fantastic options available to foster connections with nature. However, studies (NIH, National Library of Medicine, 2021) conclude that even a few minutes of mindfully embracing aspects of our natural environment create benefits such as: A decrease in stress hormones, a decrease in blood pressure, an increase in immune function, and an increase in energy, focus and general feelings of wellbeing.

Collecting information through our five senses enables us to easily create new memories and experiences that we can use to manage stress. Here are simple and effective techniques we can incorporate into our existing daily routines.

Sense of Sight

Intentionally notice the natural elements in your surroundings, especially walking into work, running errands, or even gazing out windows. Look at the shapes and colors of the trees. Glance up at the sky and study the clouds for a moment. While walking, become aware of nature in your neighborhood. Even the snowbanks offer visual benefits! Bring houseplants or pictures of the natural world into your home and workspace.

Local tip: Visit a gallery for a change of scenery to boost your mood! The recently opened Pillar Gallery in Concord features a special exhibit through January 24, 2024 that is perfect for sparking winter inspiration. Works included in the “As the Light Wanes” show explore nocturnes, quieter reflections, personal narrative and yearning as the days get shorter.

Sense of Hearing

Take advantage of the 360 degrees of sound available to your ears, enjoying birdsong, wind rustling in the trees, and children playing. Bundle up after dark and listen for the hoot of courting owls this month. Close your eyes and deepen the experience, triangulating the sound’s location.

Local tip: Catch a local concert! The Capitol Center for the Arts hosts a wide variety of shows at their Chubb Theatre and the Bank of NH Stage. If you’re a Tom Petty fan, you’ll love the “Being Petty” show on January 13, 2024. If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, try the Tom Petty kids concert on January 14!

Sense of Smell

Remember the smells of freshly cut grass, salty air, the clean smell after a summer rain shower? Frosty and crisp air can smell invigorating, too! Create new memories to savor using drops of essential oils on cotton balls, sealing them into baggies, and poking a few holes with a toothpick for scent access. Peppermint, lavender, balsam, and vanilla are great options.

Local tip: Spice up your morning routine with natural and locally-made products at Bona Fide. Their linen sprays, perfumes and soaps will ignite your senses.

Sense of Touch

Head outside and connect your fingers to the cool, smooth bark of deciduous trees or the rough texture of pines. Make a snowball with your bare hands! The textures of indoor plants provide opportunities to connect with nature in the winter.

Local tip: Indoor plants can make a world of difference in your office or home. Visit Penumbra’s stunning collection of plants—including succulents, cactuses, air plants, pet-safe plants, and plant accessories to bring some nature indoors.

Sense of Taste

Create opportunities to slow down and savor meals, focusing on textures and tastes. Silence phones and set aside devices while nourishing your body, embracing these mindful moments.

Local tip: Katmandu Bazaar is a hidden Concord gem that packs powerful taste! Whether you’re getting takeout momos from the restaurant, or stocking up on spices to add to your home cooking, this store is a must-visit for any local.

Incorporating these sensory strategies into your daily routine will help manage stress and improve your overall wellbeing, bringing a better work-life balance. Here's to a great 2024!

About the author: Kelly Dwyer, MS, founder of Nature Education Opportunities, is a certified elementary educator, naturalist, and certified wellness coach. Her programs connect people of all ages to the natural environment for improved wellbeing. To learn more about Workplace Wellness programs, visitnatureeducationopportunities.com.

Visit Concord NH is an initiative of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. This website and accompanying social media profiles showcase the best of NH’s Capital Region to travelers, new residents and long-time fans of Concord. Learn more about the Chamber at concordnhchamber.com.