It’s hard to feel motivated on dark and frigid days. With less daylight and more time spent indoors, your body receives less vitamin D and results in lethargy during the day. You’re not alone when thoughts of shorter days, subzero temperatures and thick clothing weigh you down. It’s a common feeling when winter is in full throttle.
But not to worry – staying active and being outside are the ideal ingredients to curb winter blues. But what if your environment is mountains of snow with no end in sight? What if low temperatures force you into making your fireplace your new best friend? A short trip away from home can do wonders for your mental health.
Hightailing it where it’s perpetually warm, with some of the best nature experiences you can think of, brings you back into your old self. Belize, a haven for winter escapees, is just the medicine you need to survive your winter blues. What may sound difficult to achieve back home, Belize bestows it effortlessly. Not sure what to do once you arrive? Below are five ways to get back on your groove while wintering in Belize.
Surround Yourself with Nature
For many of our Northern friends, venturing out in nature during the winter sounds like a recipe for frosty disaster. Fortunately when you’re in Belize, it’s the least of your worries. You can stay outside as long as you want! Belize doesn’t experience the conventional winter – with the average temperature being in the 80s. The Cayo district is well known for its dense forests, scenic hiking trails, and fresh weather.
You have all the time and access to explore Mother Nature’s backyard. Immerse yourself in the rainforest with The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s safari tour. Dense foliage will cocoon from all sides without stepping foot off the RTV. Two hours may go by quickly, but it’s enough to remind you of the beauty nature withholds. Soon enough you’ll forget about piles of snow and desolate trees. The vast jungles of Cayo and its blink-and-you’ll-miss-it animals are waiting for you to explore.
Stay Active
Exercise has long been the answer to fixing someone’s low mood. Getting your blood flowing triggers endorphins and chemicals that help you deal with stress better. Keeping active during winter can sound like a dreadful task. Leaving home bundled up, commuting to a gym in a cold climate and then having to come back takes excessive effort. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Biking, swimming, jogging or hiking all get your heart racing. Even sightseeing can count as a physical activity with all the walking you’re doing.
In Belize, you can do all these activities in a single day, especially if you’re in the West. Climb a 40-meter Maya temple and gaze below on all the steps you’ve accomplished. Rent a mountain bike and traverse Belize’s rolling hills. Take a jog along the coast of Placencia, Mountain Pine Ridge, or Ambergris Caye. After all this physical activity you’re bound to need some cooling off. Jump in a refreshing waterfall’s pool, like Big Rock Falls, and feel the buzz course through you. Any experience you choose will make you forget all about the so-called gym back home.
Check Something Off Your Bucket List
There’s nothing like trying something out of your comfort zone. New experiences should be welcomed with open arms and Belize is the place to seek them. There are many eye-opening adventures to choose from – so don’t even try choosing just one. Explore the Maya cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal and feast your eyes upon historical remnants that come alive once you trek inside.
Or better yet, strap onto a rubber tube and glide along cool waters that take you through Belize’s underground cave system. Not one for stalagmites, stalactites and Maya artifacts? Experience the life-enhancing view from above of the Great Blue Hole in a helicopter ride. Then, snorkel and appreciate the beauty that encompasses the Belize Barrier Reef. For activities in a flourishing forest, zipline from an extraordinary height in Calico Jack’s Village and get your heart thumping. All these ventures enrich your perspective in life and make for some interesting stories when you go back home.
Embrace Social Interaction
These solo quests are fine and all but we mustn’t forget what makes life bright on a gloomy day: conversing with lovely friends. Belize has easygoing locals that will greet you like an old companion even if it’s their first time meeting you. The culture is amiable and warm, perfect for making new friends that teach you about the country and its people.
Whether it be your tour guide or the owner of a mom-and-pop shop, they’ll have affectionate smiles waiting for you. You can tell a lot about a country from its people. Belizeans always have something to chat about, leading into hours of laughter and memory-sharing. Meeting new people on your trip to Belize will have you learning quirky perspectives that you would have never known otherwise.
Indulge in Delicious Meals
Every balanced routine must include some mouthwatering meals. How else are you expected to be happy if you’re not eating food bursting with flavors? The cuisine Belize withholds is one to be admired. A blend of many traditional staples make for some truly wonderful grub. It doesn’t matter if you’re picky. If you’re craving a certain ingredient, Belize has an entire meal based on it. Mayas use corn as their main staple. Tamalitos, tortillas, and tamales all have corn in its foundation but still taste pleasingly different.
The Mestizo’s salbutes, tacos, relleno and chirmole are chock-full of spices that excite the taste buds. And we can’t forget the Garifuna and their wonderful contribution to Belizean cuisine. Fusion of coconut milk, cassava, and seafood make for a hearty meal. Whatever you feel like eating in Belize, there’s something you’re bound to fall in love with.
Plan a getaway to Belize and leave your winter blues behind. Providing all the best ways to keep a healthy wellbeing, this warm country welcomes you any time of the month. If you’re desiring an escape from winter this year, book some exciting experiences to lift up your spirits. We can help you get started at reservations[at]chaacreek.com