Exercising inside or outside: What’s winter wise?
If you enjoy jogging, walking, cycling or other warmer-weather activities, it’s hard when a serious wind chill or snowstorm makes it impossible to get outside for a workout. Fortunately, there are many indoor activities — from jumping rope to swimming, strength training, yoga, aerobics classes and using the treadmill, etc. — that can take the place of exercising outdoors, keeping you fit, happy, looking good and getting healthier until spring breezes arrive!
To encourage you to embrace exercise during winter (inside or outside), here’s some info that’ll help you gain the body-and-soul benefits that come from daily physical activity. Psst! They’ll give you a younger RealAge, a better sex life, improved stress management, fewer wrinkles, a stronger ticker, plus guard you against diabetes, some cancers, depression and a roster of maladies from constipation to insomnia.
Outdoor Benefits in Winter
One 2011 study found that “compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression,
and increased energy.” The researchers did caution that there weren’t a lot of high-quality studies on the topic, but you know how great it makes you feel!
Outdoor Risks in Winter
To help you feel more positive about exercising indoors in the winter, here are some potential health hazards associated with outdoor winter exercising.
—Cold air can be hard on the lungs and the cardiovascular system (not smart if you have asthma, heart disease, poor circulation or Raynaud’s disease).
—Falling on icy patches can cause serious injury.
—If you get too cold, hypothermia is a 911 emergency. It happens when the body starts shuttling blood from your skin to your vital organs to keep them warm. It’s signaled by shivering, slurred speech, lack of coordination and fatigue.
—Frostnip and frostbite are always a danger. Frostnip says: “Get inside!” Frostbite is a medical concern; tissue can be damaged permanently. A wind chill of minus 16.6 F can cause frostbite in less than 30 minutes.
—Cold air traps particulate matter and other pollutants close to the ground, so air quality can suffer (air pollution is worse in Denver and Beijing in the winter, for example). Check www.airnow.gov for air quality in your area before you head out.