Tips for staying active during winter

Your 2024 health goals shouldn’t be put on hold when it’s cold outside.

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center sports medicine specialist Dr. “In addition to the physical health benefits of outdoor exercise, especially in winter, it can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression, which we often see at higher levels during the winter months,” says Michael Tiso.

Sports doctor Michael Tiso says exercising 12 months a year should be part of your lifestyle, not a burden.

To exercise safely in the cold, Tiso also recommends dressing for the temperature and your activity. But it is important to do it in stages.

“It will start with a synthetic base layer, a wool in the middle and an insulated outdoor jacket or a combination of a warm, thick coat and a raincoat. The raincoat helps protect against rain and wind, and the thick interior of “the” jacket helps keep you warm inside, ” added the sports medicine specialist.

Avoid cotton clothes.

Tiso says the material traps moisture close to the skin.

If it’s really cold outside, he suggests covering extremities like fingers, which are vulnerable to frostbite.

Before exercising, do a short warm-up for five to 10 minutes to get the blood flowing to your muscles.

“When you finish exercising, a short cool-down can help, and stretching after exercise can also be more effective than stretching before,” Dr. Tiso added.

Finally, watch your sun exposure, you can still get sunburned in the winter, especially if it reflects off the snow.

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