Peace of Mind Preserving Your During Winter Hikes

With Daylight saving time and another harsh Maine winter soon upon us, maintaining your mental and physical well-being will be crucial. Though we are lucky enough to live in a state that provides an array of outdoor opportunities, it can be all too tempting to hibernate indoors when the days become shorter and temperatures start to dip below freezing. And while there are plenty of mindfulness activities that people can practice while cozying up inside, implementing these practices outdoors can boost your mentality, energy, and overall health and happiness. Fortunately, during the cold months, Maine transforms into a frozen playground that is home to a variety of nature preserves, offering accessible, snowy trails to keep you moving and mindful through the winter.

Mill Brook Preserve Westbrook, ME

Located in Southern Maine, this five-mile trail system features a brook that is well known for its annual migration of alewife fish. The trails run through a variety of landscapes, including both wooded areas and open fields. Since this preserve has a healthy dose of hills, don’t forget to pack your snowshoes or spikes, especially if there is dense snow or ice.

MINDFULNESS TIP: Attentive Breathing

Due to a few steep inclines, this hike may entail some more intense breathing, which is a perfect focal point for maintaining presence while you’re outside. Pay attention to the way your breathing changes as you tackle an incline and notice the way it regulates as you continue on with your journey. When breathing, try counting your in breath and out breath so that they are consistent. Inhale on a count of five while filling your belly and exhale on a count of five by pulling your belly button to your spine. Additionally, try to keep your posture steady and tall with your shoulders back on each breath.

Big Falls Preserve New Gloucester, ME

Maintained by the Royal River Conservation Trust, this 40-acre preserve is located in New Gloucester, near the Auburn city line. This preserve is home to a unique ecology that features an array of wildlife, including beavers, otters, and deer. During winter months, trail goers might encounter otter slides along the frozen streams. In addition to wildlife, this preserve has a variety of historic features that you can stop and observe along your hike, including a hand-built chapel, a 19th-century stone bridge, and an abandoned 1947 Plymouth.

MINDFULNESS TIP: Express

Gratitude

Stopping to observe historical features provides a space to pause and express gratitude to yourself and your surroundings. Think about the amount of time that has passed since these features were built and appreciate the fact that you are here to see it today. As you come upon these features, ruminate on the things in your life that you are grateful for, and make a short list in your head, or write it down. Let each stopping point present itself as an opportunity to express the many moments, people, and things in your life that bring you joy.

Warren Woods Preserve Scarborough, ME

Located off of Payne Road in Scar- borough, this trail system is accessible and perfect for a low-key winter trek. According to the Scarborough Land Trust, this 258.5-acre property is home to a variety of natural features, including open fields, mature woods, streams, and wetlands, and a rare pitch pine bog. The 1.4-mile trail system can be done in a loop and will take you through open fields as well as wooded areas.

MINDFULNESS TIP:

Check In With Your Senses

Find a few stopping points along the trail and pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste. It might even be helpful to bring a small notebook so you can write out your experiences. Diving into your senses enables you to be present in your environment and provides you with opportunities to clear your mind of its usual chatter.

Witherle Woods Preserve Castine, ME

This two-mile hike is located on a 185-acre forested preserve and the trails are regularly groomed by local volunteers. This is yet another trail sys- tem that features archeological structures which were left behind by troops from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. If you take the Indian Trail, you’ll be greeted with scenic water views of the Penobscot Bay.

MINDFULNESS TIP:

Stop and Notice

This preserve features stopping points that outlook the Penobscot Bay and Camden Hills. Take a moment at these scenic spots, and think about a goal or a desire, and a simple pathway to achieve these goals. You may even want to think about what you want out of the hike- are you looking to stay more present? Are you hoping to reconnect with yourself? Be intentional about your pausing moments, and make sure your thoughts are productive and positive.

For more information on access to preserves during winter, visit your local land trust’s websites before heading to the trails.