Winter time means colder, shorter days with limited sunlight and motivation to do anything. Pair that with holiday eating, great football games on TV, and holiday parties, and you could risk becoming more, let’s say, jolly this winter.
Here are some reasons why it is so important to stay active this winter:
- Exercise helps fight winter blues and depression
- Sunlight exposure is even more important in the winter
- Exercise boosts immunity during cold and flu season
- No heat and humidity to deal with
Staying active in the winter is more difficult and requires dedication. But, it will be worth it when you are already maintaining your beach bod by spring. Here are some tips for how to stay active this winter.
Yoga is a great winter activity
Yoga is great year-round, but it is an especially good exercise in the winter. Yoga is often heated and will build internal heat to help you sweat and burn calories. Yoga will also keep your joints and muscles from becoming stiff in the colder months.
Getting on your mat and committing to a yoga practice is also a good community exercise, and it will get you out of your house and with a group of people. This can go a long way towards fighting those winter blues and loneliness we can all suffer from in the colder months.
Take a brisk walk everyday
According to heart.org, even short brisk walks are good for your heart health. It is important that you get outside everyday, weather permitting, and take a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Make sure you prepare for cold and icy conditions, and be careful. But, it is important that you get some fresh air, sunlight, and increase your heart rate every day.
Exercise Tip: Challenge your neighbors or friends to a daily steps challenge to encourage them to exercise and keep you committed to taking a brisk walk every day.
Get the right gear for winter exercise
Having the right gear on hand for exercising can make all the difference this winter. Make sure you have moisture-wicking clothing that you wear close to your skin. Then, get the proper headgear, face gear, hats, gloves, and shoes to tackle those cold and icy conditions.
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Sunscreen is still necessary in the winter, even though the sun is limited and lower in the sky.
Other great winter outdoor activities
Winter is a great time for hobbies that involve exercise. Activities like these will help keep you active, fit, and healthy this winter:
- Skiing
- Ice Skating
- Hiking
- Camping
- Ice Fishing
- Walking
- Running
- Exercise Classes
- Many Others!
It is important to find activities in the winter that you enjoy so you will stick to them. The winter months and days can seem long, but in reality they are short. Spring will be here before you know it, but in the meantime, make sure you stay active, healthy, well, and safe this winter!