As the days draw in and temperatures drop, you may be tempted to hang up your exercise gear and hibernate. Don’t! Stay active throughout autumn and winter to beat those seasonal blues and feel on top of the world.
Regular exercise will make you feel more energetic, which should make it a little easier to get out of your warm bed on cold, dark mornings. Your body’s defences will also benefit.
There is some limited research suggesting that moderate exercise can strengthen the immune system, thereby reducing the risk of coughs and colds. However, more research is needed in this area. If the shorter days are affecting your mood, being active can improve your sense of wellbeing. You may be tempted to eat more during the colder months.
Exercising will help you manage your weight better and keep your body in shape. Eat healthy balanced diet and taking regular exercise to maintain a healthy body weight.It’s true, you actually burn more calories just by being chilly in the first place. It’s not enough to make a massive difference (you can’t just stand outside shivering and count that as a workout) but, according to research , your body has to work harder in the cold to get you up to a stable temperature, meaning it’s giving itself a mini workout before you even tie up your laces.
Studies have found that moderate levels of exercise can boost the immune system and improve your defences against dreaded winter coughs and colds. Although pushing yourself too hard during exercise can have the opposite effect.Studies show sedentary people who start moving experience a dramatic drop in fatigue. It’s not just your physical health that winter workouts boost – they’re also one of the most common self-help suggestions for people who are affected by Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD), a form of seasonal depression that’s linked to the winter.
The dark, chilly days can have a hugely negative impact on your sense of wellbeing, exercise endorphins really help when you’re feeling down – and once you make it outside, you’ll get an extra dose of mood-elevating vitamin D.Winter doesn’t have to mean being stuck at home or a soulless gym. From taking long walks in the snow to traveling, from going out with friends to ice-skating, a lot of calories can be burned with a little effort and a lot of fun.
I live in Kashmir and we get a whole lot of snow. And when we do, everything shuts down and I bundle up for some fun. I always have to have a snowball fight with my friends (I always win) and maybe make some snow angels. “Do you want to build a snowman?” as, you guessed it, I build a snowman.The urge to “hibernate” in winter is strong, even for us humans. However, you are better off staying in shape than struggling to catch up come spring. And winter exercise benefits more than just physical fitness; it is also a powerful antidote for the winter blues.
Your options for winter workouts vary by interest and location. People in warmer, sunnier climates have the outdoor advantage over those in regions with cold temperatures and snow. But many people find being outdoors in winter exhilarating. Snow shoeing, ice skating and cross country skiing—regarded as one of the best cardiovascular workouts—are among winter’s unique outdoor activities.
Winter exercise is not without its risks and challenges. In below-freezing weather, frostbite and hypothermia are of concern, while rainy climates make it challenging to stay both warm and dry. Make certain that you wear the right clothing to protect your skin and maintain appropriate body heat. And do not skimp on the warm-up exercises! Your muscles take longer to loosen up in colder weather, making injury more likely without adequate preparation.If outdoor exercise in winter weather is not to your liking, shift your focus indoors. Head to the gym or health club for sports, fitness classes and workouts.
REFERENCE:
December 30, 2016.Need to stay fit in winters.Rising Kashmir.retrieved from
Risingkashmir.com
