Keeping Active During the Cold Months
By Randi Morse
People often find it difficult during the cold autumn and winter months to get outside and exercise. While it is OK to be sedentary sometimes, sitting around too much is not good for your body or your spine. In order to stay healthy, it is estimated that adults need about 2 1/2 hours of physical activity during the week. Here are a few ways to help you get some physical activity no matter how cold it is outside.
Look for Local Fun
It's really easy to ignore the activities happening in your community, but these may be exactly what you need to get out and get active during the winter months. You may be able to find a pick-up game of basketball or indoor soccer, you might find a walking group that you like, or you may even find a group of people who like to geocache. Any of these activities would get you outside and moving, which is the goal.
Skip the Elevator
Modern technology makes life easier for us, it does not necessarily make it better. Instead of using the elevator, take the stairs. If you live in an apartment, or if you visit a mall an office building, take the stairs. Would you believe that you can make a huge difference to your health with only five minutes of stair-walking a day?
Online Exercising
The ability to stream makes it easier now than ever before to have access to online exercise videos. You can also find companies who sell treadmills and stationary bicycles that connect to the internet and allow you to take a live class or walk in virtual reality.
Find a Friend
One of the easiest ways to ensure that you get physical activity is to find a partner. Find somebody, a friend or coworker, who has similar exercise goals. Not only is it more fun to work out with a friend, you can hold each other accountable as well.
Daytime Hours
The winter months bring darker days, so make sure that you schedule any activity that you want to do during daylight hours. Not only is it easier to get moving with the light, it can help your circadian rhythm as well.
The more exercising and moving around you do, the healthier your spine, muscles, and tendons will be. Make sure you find time during the cold months to keep your body moving.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Dawsonville, Ga.