3 Tips for Exercising in Cold Weather
By Genevieve Cunningham
It's not winter yet, but the colder weather is definitely on its way. For some people, the winter is a fun and exciting time of year. It means holidays and a whole new wardrobe. It means the smell of heaters burning and warm food cooking. But if there's one thing that definitely gets more difficult in the winter, it's exercise. It's so hard to get out of the warm bed and make it to the gym when it's cold out. We can't just walk outside and run. And that means that many people just skip exercise altogether. Of course, skipping exercise is never a good idea. So what can you do to make exercising in the winter easier? If you need a little motivation and a push in the right direction, take a look at these tips for making winter exercise easy.
Layer Up
You really need to stay warm in the winter, and this includes in the midst of exercise. To make this happen, put on multiple layers. Wear a short-sleeved shirt and a jacket. Take a beanie and some gloves. Wear pants with shorts underneath. Layering up allows you to adjust to the temperature and weather, whatever it may be. And that makes getting in an entire exercise a lot easier.
Breathe Through Your Nose
If you're working out in the outdoors, make a conscious effort to breathe through your nose. Why? Because your nose is made to warm up the air as it goes in. If you breathe through your mouth, you're more likely to end up with a sore throat. If you can't avoid mouth breathing, try to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth to keep the sore, dry throat to a minimum.
Be Aware of the Weather
Watch the weather before you go out. You should be doing this anyway, but it's especially important during the winter. Check for extreme temperatures and precipitation. Watch for wind chills or upcoming storms. If you're aware of the weather, you can make a plan for the best time to work out. And this can help you avoid getting out in the miserable part of the winter, making slightly more comfortable workouts more likely.
You can still work out in the winter. It might take a little more planning and some willingness to be uncomfortable, but it's absolutely possible. Use these tips to protect the body while getting in some exercise this winter, and boost your health all the way until spring.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glen Allen, Va.