Finding it hard to get out of bed with the cold weather? Need a good rainy day activity?
As winter fast approaches, moving your body can be a challenge. But with a bit of creativity and planning, there are plenty of enjoyable activities that can help you stay active, healthy, and engaged during the colder months. Here are ten ways people with disability can stay active during winter. Perhaps you’d like to add your own!
1. Explore nature walks in your local area. Put on your warmest clothes and head out to explore your local area. Many parks and nature reserves have accessible paths, making it easier for everyone to enjoy a winter hike, breathe the fresh air, and take in the beautiful surroundings.
2. Visit an indoor pool. Beat the winter blues by taking a dip in an indoor swimming pool. Swimming is not only a great way to stay active, but it’s also therapeutic and gentle on the body. Most people have accessible facilities and even classes like aquarobics that you might want to explore.
3. Have fun at dance class. Whether it’s hip-hop, salsa or jazz, dancing is a fantastic way to stay active while having fun and expressing yourself through movement. If a class isn’t available, try a fun online dance workout or simply play your favourite song and groove along!
4. Go bowling or play indoor mini golf. Gather your friends, housemates or family for a friendly game of bowling or indoor mini golf. These indoor activities are accessible to people of all abilities and provide hours of entertainment and friendly competition.
5. Go to a gym class. Gym classes can now be tailored to your interests, fitness level, and ability. From cardio workouts to pilates or strength training, there are plenty of options available to help you stay active and healthy during the winter months. Allied health professionals also run classes designed to improve your capacity.
6. Create a winter sensory bin. This is a great activity for kids and the young at heart! Stimulate your senses by creating a winter-themed sensory artwork. Go for a walk and fill a container with items like different coloured autumn leaves, branches, and seeds. Later on, you can turn them into a fun artwork, display them in a vase, or string them along to make a fun winter garland.
7. Stay calm with yoga. Embrace relaxation and mindfulness with a yoga practice. Whether you prefer traditional yoga or chair yoga, going to a studio or trying an online class at home, you’ll enjoy the benefits of increased flexibility, strength, mindfulness and stress relief.
8. Go on a fun excursion. Plan a day trip to a nearby museum, aquarium, art gallery, or botanical garden. These accessible attractions are usually great places to learn, explore and engage all of your senses, making them perfect winter excursions for people of all ages and abilities.
9. Attend an outdoor festival. Bundle up and attend an outdoor festival or event in your community. From winter markets to light displays, there’s no shortage of seasonal festivities to enjoy with friends and family. Do some research beforehand to find out if they have accessibility features, sensory areas, and quieter days you can attend.
10. Go on a road trip. Embark on a winter road trip adventure! Whether you’re exploring nearby cities, regional towns or even travelling interstate, a road trip is a great way to see new sights, make memories, and have plenty of fun along the way.
If you’re living with a disability, your NDIS funding can support your goals when it comes to staying healthy and active, providing things like equipment, assistive technology, transport, exercise physiology and other therapies, community participation activities, and NDIS support workers to assist with your health needs. To learn more about our NDIS plans, please get in touch with our customer service team.
Home Caring provides NDIS services for people with disability in Australia, from personal care and assistance with daily living, to transport, social engagement, fun activities, therapies and much more. As a NDIS provider, we love helping people from all walks of life improve their health and wellbeing.
