Winter is here, and as we enter the New Year it is likely becoming more evident that the Winter is going to be around for a while longer. The long winters we experience may make it feel like you should go into hibernation like bears and squirrels do, but that’s exactly the opposite of what you should be doing. Instead of sitting more, and lying in bed until noon during days off, the best thing you can do for yourself is keep moving just as much or more than you did in the warmer months. This way, you can kick the habit of being stationary all winter and feel strong and invigorated throughout the season.
Indoors and Inactive
Staying indoors during the winter is a natural tendency, and reasonably so. It is usually quite bitter outdoors in the middle of winter, which makes going outside unfeasible for many people and greatly inconveniences the rest. Winter is well known for being the season of sitting down by the fire or on the couch to watch television and drink hot cocoa, and while that may sound nice and relaxing, it can be very detrimental to your health.
It is a well-known fact that too much sitting and leading a sedentary life can cause you to suffer negative health effects such as obesity, stiffness, and joint pain. However, the great thing about the human body is that movement can be incredibly helpful in healing the detrimental effects of being sedentary. This can be a difficult feat to accomplish during the winter, but with a few adjustments to your schedule, you can be up and moving in no time.
Fighting the Freeze
You may not be able to get out and play a pickup game of football or soccer like you could in the Summer, but there are still ways to stay active indoors. Walking up and down the stairs a few more times a day could be a great activity for those who feel steady on their feet, and as an alternative taking a few laps around the house can be a great way to feel spryer and warm up cold joints and bones. In addition to these simple steps you can take, there are plenty of home workouts available online for your level of fitness and stability that can help you stay in shape.
Keeping up your strength in the winter months becomes even more important as you get older. Remaining strong allows you to feel steadier in your steps as well as giving you increased ability to soften any blows that may come your way like slips and falls or auto accidents. As you enter the winter, try to stay active and reap the benefits of movement in your life.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes it can be hard to convince yourself that you need to move, especially when you’re cozied up on the loveseat under layers upon layers of blankets but getting up and moving can be great for your health. If you need some ideas for getting moving, or if you are combatting pain, contacting your chiropractor may be a great idea to get some ideas for staying flexible, strong, and pain free. If you need a chiropractor, contact North County Pain Relief for a free consultation.
