How You Can Keep Your Life In Motion

Staying active during the winter is important for your general health, and there are numerous ways to do it, regardless of how cold or dark it is outside.

During the cold months, people tend to exercise less, said Nicholas Durst, a Physical Therapist at Powers Medical Center. However, getting outside gives you the vitamin D you need, and exercise has a powerful antidepressant effect. It also reduces the brain's stress response.

An “exercise” can include everything from jogging and weightlifting to doing chores, dancing, or simply going for a walk anything that keeps your body moving. Consider some of these methods to get you moving if you're having trouble keeping your body engaged.

Indoor Activities

Numerous healthcare organizations recommend that people exercise for at least 30 minutes every day, but it's also crucial to stay moving throughout the day. This may be challenging if you have a work that demands a lot of sitting. People who work at desk jobs should stand for an hour for every hour they sit, according to Dare.

Other options for being active at home or at work include:

• Vacuuming, sweeping, raking leaves, and shoveling snow are examples of household duties.
• Yoga, bodyweight, and core building exercises are examples of planned indoor workouts.
• Fun activities include playing music and dancing.

Outdoor Activities

Colorado has a diverse range of outdoor activities. When the snow flurries come, you can go skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing. Nature excursions and treks, as well as walks around your neighborhood with your dog, are other ways to get out.

"In the winter, the obvious huge safety problem is the cold," Durst remarked. "Warming up inside is a useful strategy for exercising outside. It's critical to raise your core temperature, especially before going outside. If you're cold, you're more likely to get hurt while exercising outside."

Taking precautions to protect yourself from the cold and harm is critical throughout the winter months. When you do decide to go out:

1. Layer your clothing.
2. Wear a scarf, gloves, and a hat.
3. Make sure your shoes are waterproof and that they fit correctly.
4. If it's dark outside, go for a walk with a friend.
5. Purchase grippers for your shoes to prevent slipping on wet or slippery surfaces.
6. Avoid going outside when it is extremely chilly.

Consider how windchill might affect present temperatures.

According to Durst, cooling down after a workout is just as vital as warming up. To avoid damage, he recommends spending the last five to ten minutes of your workout lowering your heart rate and stretching the muscles you just worked out.

Make Your Own Environment

It's critical to maintain a routine, Durst added. As a physical therapist, I frequently advise clients on the significance of exercising at home, and studies have shown that taking the time to physically write down a plan and create a good environment for oneself enhances your plan's success rate considerably.

Setting yourself up for success can be as simple as laying out your clothes and shoes the night before you want to go for a jog, or placing any equipment out as a reminder to keep to your plan. Durst also suggested that writing down your plan and posting it somewhere where it will be seen frequently, such as on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror, can help you remember your objectives.

It's all about building an environment, Durst stated, noting that determination isn't the most crucial component. Make a schedule, lay out your clothes, flashlight, and water bottle. It's crucial to create a relaxed atmosphere. When you workout, you feel wonderful and see results. The difficult part is getting started.