Winter is known for being prime time for colds and flu. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the cold air that makes us sick, but rather spending more time indoors in warm, enclosed spaces. Germs are always present, but when we’re outdoors, they’re spread out over a larger area, making us less likely to get sick. It’s when we’re huddled inside our homes, offices, cars, and even gyms that we’re most exposed to these germs. So, it’s beneficial to get outside and breathe some fresh air.
Dress Warm and Take a Walk
The main reason we avoid outdoor activities in winter is because it’s too cold. If you’ve swapped your daily outdoor walk for treadmill sessions, it might be worth reconsidering. Try it for a day; with the right preparation, most winter days are fine for walking. Wear a heavy knit hat, thermal or ski gloves, a thick jacket, and a scarf. After about ten minutes, you’ll probably find yourself feeling quite warm and wondering why everyone thinks it’s so cold.
Outdoor Fun
We don’t just go outside to exercise; we go to have fun. If you’ve replaced outdoor games with video games on your Playstation or Wii for the winter, remember how much fun you had outside and consider bringing some of that playtime back outdoors. Activities like tag football, shooting hoops at the park, or biking can still be enjoyable even in the cold. You might need to wear sweatpants under your shorts, but playing outside lets you have fun and exercise while reducing your exposure to germs. You could even try surfing if you have a warm wetsuit.
Winter Sports
There are also winter-specific activities that are not only enjoyable but designed for cold weather. Sports like skiing, sledding, ice skating, and hockey are great for staying active and healthy in the winter. The gear for these sports is made to keep you warm, so you won’t feel too cold. Breathing in cold, fresh air, especially while being physically active, strengthens your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Instead of trying to dodge colds indoors, head outside where the fresh air is plentiful.
In short, staying active outdoors in winter not only helps keep you healthy but also reduces your chances of catching colds. So, bundle up and enjoy the freshness outside.