The Winter Wellness Reset
As the days get colder and darker, staying healthy becomes more challenging for many of us. Our recent survey found that a third of Brits reduce their weekly physical activity in the winter months, and 36% say their motivation to exercise gets worse.
But colder weather is only part of the story. To understand what can affect how we maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle through winter, we surveyed 2,000 UK adults. We have also partnered with qualified experts across nutrition, fitness and mental health to unpack why Brits’ habits shift in colder months, and for practical, affordable ways to stay active and healthy.
Finally, we also compared over 30 popular UK winter walks using weather, distance, difficulty, visitor reviews and dog friendliness metrics to reveal the best outdoor walks in winter.
Key findings
A third of Brits admit reducing their weekly physical activity during winter, with 36% saying their motivation to exercise decreases.
Nearly a quarter of women (23%) say darker evenings make it harder to stay active and healthy, compared to 17% of men, while more than two in three women (36%) say they feel less safe exercising outdoors in winter, compared to one in five (21%) men.
Two in five Brits (40%) exercise 5 or more hours per week in summer; however, this falls to just one in three (34%) in winter.
One in eight Brits (13%) stop exercising altogether once winter hits.
Brits spend more on takeaways (£51/month) and alcohol (£54/month) than on gym memberships (£33/month) during colder months.
The impact of winter on Brits’ healthy habits
As summer gives way to colder, darker days, Brits’ healthy routines take a hit. Over a quarter (29%) say poor weather is a main barrier to staying physically active during winter, while more than one in three (36%) say they lose motivation to work out and 33% report exercising less each week.
Women are particularly affected, with over two in five (42%) saying their motivation to exercise drops in winter, compared to just under one in three (30%) men, while over a third of women (37%) report exercising less each week, compared to just over one in four (29%) men.
Safety is also a concern, with two in three (36%) women feeling less safe exercising outdoors in winter, compared to just over one in five (21%) men. Interestingly, a quarter of men say they feel safer exercising outdoors in winter. At a city level, nearly one in five (19%) Belfast residents cite safety as a barrier, compared to just 5% in Sheffield.
Winter affects diets too. 29% say their motivation to eat healthily worsens, while 21% report increasing both takeaways and alcohol consumption compared to summer. Overall, 30% report their sense of wellbeing gets worse during the winter months, and nearly a quarter (24%) cite low motivation as a main barrier to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
However, not every health and wellbeing habit is negatively affected by winter. Our survey found that over a third of Brits (35%) get better sleep during the winter months. Longer nights, with darker evenings and mornings, paired with cooler sleeping temperatures compared to summer, could explain why Brits report sleeping better in the winter months.
To help Brits beat the winter motivation slump, we partnered with Specialist Registered Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine to offer practical advice on how to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle through the winter months:
“Motivation naturally fluctuates, so it helps to make healthy choices as easy and automatic as possible. Planning three or four simple evening meals before shopping, keeping a few nutritious freezer and cupboard staples available, and preparing an extra portion for lunch the following day can all reduce the number of decisions we need to make when we’re tired.
“It’s also important not to approach winter with an ‘all or nothing’ mindset. Comforting food can absolutely form part of a balanced diet, and trying to eat ‘perfectly’ often leads to people giving up altogether. Instead, think about what you can add.
“If takeaways and alcohol become more frequent, there is no need for guilt or extreme restriction. Simply create a little more intention around them - for example, choosing the evenings you genuinely want a drink or takeaway rather than having them by default.
“Regular meals can also help to prevent becoming overly hungry and reaching for the quickest option available. Aim to include some protein and fibre at each main meal, as this combination supports fullness and steadier energy levels.”
How much do Brits spend on winter wellness?
Our survey reveals that, although Brits report spending more on takeaways and alcohol during winter, they also still make room in their budget for their health and wellbeing. The average Brit spends £84.17 per month in the winter on healthy food and groceries, making it the largest area of winter wellness spending.
Rank | Spending category | Spend during a typical month in the winter |
|---|---|---|
1 | Healthy food and groceries | £84.17 |
2 | Exercise equipment/clothing | £38.06 |
3 | Other health and wellbeing activities | £34.83 |
4 | Vitamins/supplements | £34.43 |
5 | Gym memberships/fitness classes | £32.60 |
6 | Hiring courts (e.g. tennis, padel) | £26.12 |
However, for many, the cost of staying healthy can be a barrier. Nearly eight million Brits say the overall cost of living is an obstacle to a healthy and active lifestyle over winter.
Does 'healthy' have to mean expensive in winter? To find out, we spoke to Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Charlotte Turner Murthy to understand whether eating healthily in winter really has to cost more:
“If you’re looking to eat well over winter, focus on seasonal vegetables such as parsnips, carrots, swede, cabbage and leeks - which are all good value. Frozen fruit and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh, as the nutrients are locked in when they're frozen, and they cut waste. Tinned beans, lentils and chickpeas, eggs, porridge oats, and tinned sardines or mackerel are all inexpensive and nutritious. Oily fish is also one of the few food sources of vitamin D, which is a useful bonus in winter.”
How do Brits stay active in winter?
Despite winter making being active more challenging for many Brits, nearly a quarter (23%) say they actually exercise more. Our survey found that Brits’ favourite way of staying active during winter is walking outside, with over a third (36%) choosing to get outdoors.
Interestingly, nearly half (47%) of over-55s choose walking outside, compared with just a quarter of 18-24-year-olds (25%). This age group favours going to the gym more than any other age demographic (18%). The survey also reveals that nearly eight million Brits say they stop exercising altogether during winter. 15% of both 45-54-year-olds and over-55s say they stop during colder months, compared to 9% of 25-34-year-olds and 35-44-year-olds.
Working out at home is also a popular way of staying active during winter, with nearly one in five (19%) doing so. Younger respondents tend to be more active at home, with 21% of both 18-24-year-olds and 25-34-year-olds working out at home, compared to 18% of over-55s.
Rank | Ways of staying active | Total % of respondents taking part in this activity in winter |
|---|---|---|
1 | Walking outside | 36% |
2 | Working out at home | 19% |
3 | Swimming | 11% |
4 | Walking inside (on a walking pad or treadmill at home) | 11% |
5 | Working out at the gym | 11% |
6 | Online workout videos/apps at home | 8% |
7 | Running/jogging outside | 8% |
8 | Running/jogging inside (on a treadmill at home) | 8% |
9 | Cycling outside | 7% |
10 | Fitness class (not at home) | 7% |
The UK’s top winter walks
With walking a popular way to stay active, we have analysed more than 30 popular walking routes across the UK using factors including rainfall, sunshine hours, temperature, trail reviews, difficulty and dog friendliness to reveal some of the best walks this winter in the UK. Each trail was scored across these metrics to create an overall ranking, with the highest-scoring trail named the UK’s best winter walk.
The Nut Wood and Fox Covert Circular trail in East Riding of Yorkshire ranks as the UK’s best winter walk, with one of the lowest levels of winter rainfall, at 54.1 mm, and an average of 63.3 hours of sunshine during the winter. Walkers can enjoy a scenic trail along the Humber Bank that passes local heritage sites, including “The Castle” medieval earthworks.
Second is the Edenbridge Circular Walk trail in Kent, offering an easy 5km route. The route passes through Broxham Woods and surrounding farmland, offering a peaceful setting that can be enjoyed with or without your dog.
Rounding out the top three is the Clumber Park and Water Circular trail located in Nottinghamshire, recording the lowest average winter rainfall in the ranking (42.5mm) and one of the highest amounts of sunshine during the winter months (64.9 hours). The route around Clumber Lake offers a scenic option for a crisp winter walk, with displays of wildlife.
Rank | Walk | Location | Avg. rainfall in the winter months | Avg. temp in the winter months | Avg. sunshine hours in the winter months | Difficulty of walking trail* | Distance of walking trail (km) | Trail review rating | Dog friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nut Wood and Fox Covert Circular | East Riding of Yorkshire | 54.1 | 5.2 | 63.3 | Easy | 6.3 | 4.6 | Y |
2 | Edenbridge Circular Walk | Kent | 72 | 4.9 | 58.4 | Easy | 5 | 4.6 | Y |
3 | Clumber Park and Water Circular | Nottinghamshire | 42.5 | 4.7 | 64.9 | Moderate | 6.4 | 4.7 | Y |
4= | Tamsin Trail | London, England | 54.8 | 5.5 | 64.5 | Moderate | 11.7 | 4.6 | Y |
4= | Dunster Beach and Dunster Castle | Somerset | 98.1 | 6.7 | 61.6 | Moderate | 8.7 | 4.6 | Y |
5 | Arthur’s Seat | Edinburgh | 61.7 | 4.6 | 62.2 | Moderate | 4.5 | 4.7 | Y |
6= | Castleton, Mam Tor, and The Great Ridge Loop | Derbyshire | 42.8 | 4.2 | 60.9 | Moderate | 13 | 4.8 | Y |
6= | Knaresborough, Nidd Gorge, and Old Bilton Circular | North Yorkshire | 54.0 | 4.2 | 64.3 | Moderate | 9.7 | 4.7 | Y |
7 | Robin Hood's Bay to Ravenscar Circular | North Yorkshire | 57.9 | 4.5 | 64.7 | Moderate | 12.1 | 4.6 | Y |
8= | Long Mynd Circular | Shropshire | 57.2 | 4.9 | 52.4 | Moderate | 13.4 | 4.8 | Y |
8= | Hunter's and Fisherman's Path to Castle Drogo | Devon | 165.8 | 5.5 | 60.5 | Moderate | 7.4 | 4.8 | Y |
9 | Three Shires Head Circular | Cheshire | 78.2 | 4.4 | 58.1 | Moderate | 7.7 | 4.7 | Y |
10 | Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls) Circular | Conwy | 115.1 | 6.6 | 47.7 | Moderate | 6.9 | 4.7 | Y |
Kara Gammell, Life Insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, comments:
“Winter can make healthy habits feel much harder to maintain. Shorter days, colder weather and increased household costs can all affect how we exercise, eat and look after our wellbeing.
“Our Winter Wellness Reset is designed to help people recognise those seasonal challenges and make small, realistic changes that can have a positive impact throughout winter. Staying healthy doesn't have to mean spending more money. Often, it's about finding affordable routines that work for you and making sure your finances are working hard for you too.
“Winter can also be a useful time to take stock of the things that matter most, including whether your family would be financially protected if the unexpected happened. Reviewing your life insurance alongside your household finances can help you understand whether the cover you have still reflects your circumstances and the people who depend on you.
“Small changes can often be the easiest to stick to, whether that's getting out for a daily walk, planning affordable healthy meals, reviewing your household budget or checking that your financial protection is still right for your family. Taking a little time now can help you feel more in control of both your wellbeing and your finances throughout winter.”
Methodology
We surveyed 2,000 UK adults to understand the main barriers to maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle in winter.
To reveal the UK’s best winter walks, we analysed over 30 trails across the following metrics:
Average temperature in winter months
Average sunshine hours in winter months
Average rainfall (mm) in winter months
Trail difficulty
Average trail rating
Mention of dog friendliness in visitor reviews
Trail distance
Data was collected in September 2026 and was accurate at the time of collection. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest point.
Author
Sara Newell
Commercial Director
Sara Newell is the Commercial Director for Motor & Home Insurance at MoneySuperMarket. With almost 20 years of experience in insurance, Sara has built a reputation as a results-driven leader who...
