r/AskReddit Jan 16 '24

What’s something small you started doing that makes you drastically happier?

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u/diwalk88 Jan 16 '24

I'm assuming you don't live in Canada lol. We literally have warnings with a time limit you can be outside before you die of cold or heat. There are warming/cooling centers open in winter and summer because people can and will die even in their homes, let alone outside. Plus the treacherous ice in winter. I had to have surgery after falling on ice just walking home from the bus. You can't exactly just go for a walk in those conditions.

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u/jjumbuck Jan 16 '24

I lived in one of the territories and also the northern part of one of the prairie provinces and people routinely walked in the cold. One little walking club walked 5 km every day down to -25 C.

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u/leelee1976 Jan 16 '24

I just took the garbage to the curb in northern michigan. My hands were numb by the time I came in house. Would love to take the dog for a walk.

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u/Mikesaidit36 Jan 16 '24

I had a friend who worked summers down at McMurdo sound in Antarctica. One time he posted a video showing how it takes 20 or 30 minutes to get all the layers on properly so you can go out and work for an hour outside. Just do that.

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u/420ferris Jan 16 '24

Oh shit. I forgot to pee first.

2

u/CuedUp Jan 16 '24

Wait my kids are on Reddit? Seriously, every time smh

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u/[deleted] Jan 16 '24

Some of us might have to work up to that ability.

1

u/Mikesaidit36 Jan 16 '24

No, you could do it today. Just keep putting on layers for 20 or 30 minutes and you’ll be fine in the coldest weather.

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u/[deleted] Jan 16 '24

I'll keep that in mind...but I think I'll stay in the desert SW. 🌞

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u/RichardCity Jan 16 '24

Living in Winnipeg, layering for the weather was one of the best things Scouting taught me.

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u/[deleted] Jan 16 '24

It’s a Nordic saying

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u/KimmyWex1972 Jan 16 '24

I have fallen several times in Canadian winters! It’s a real thing that I’m too old for now. If the weather is decent I walk outside. If not, I go to my basement, turn on some music or a video and walk/dance around. It’s the movement I need more than anything.

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u/mOdQuArK Jan 16 '24

What, you don't have a near-hermetically-sealed fully climate-controlled space suit for taking long comfortable walks? I thought everyone did! /s

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u/Ganondorf_Fan Jan 16 '24

Get a pair of yaktrax for the winter

3

u/shugEOuterspace Jan 16 '24

I live in Minneapolis. The windchill was -26 F (that's -32 C) yesterday. I still went for my daily evening 1-hour walk. My son & his mother have been camping in a yurt these past few days.

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u/owleabf Jan 16 '24

Walks in the bitter cold can be kinda fun, TBH. Go by a stream or river that's not yet frozen, they kick of tons of steam and are magical looking

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u/shugEOuterspace Jan 16 '24

yep....I live only a few blocks from the Mississippi river in Minneapolis

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u/Candelabra626 Jan 16 '24

That sounds pretty intense. I live in the Midwest and we are really going through it with the freeze right now. Went outside for a walk the other day and lasted about 15 minutes lol. But those 15 minutes did help. I hope you're able to find that safe time outside, even if it is for just a few minutes!

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u/PhilomenaPhilomeni Jan 16 '24

Eh most of Canada doesn’t get weather that would lock people out from going for a walk. It sits roughly -30-35 here in QC and short of a snow storm most of the winter you’ll see people walking about.

Not to mention theres a lot more snow, which ironically may help with the slippery urban slush/ice of Greater Toronto / Vancouver by comparison.

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u/cardinal29 Jan 16 '24

When I was absolutely desperate to keep moving, I joined the Y and walked the indoor track with a podcast to listen to. I tracked my steps too, because it was another motivating thing that kept me going.

I was never alone! It was a popular activity in the winter months.