THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING ACTIVE DURING WINTER MONTHS
be able to work out for longer periods of time. • Immune system boost. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even just a few minutes of outdoor exposure during the winter can help prevent against both bacterial and viral infections. Avoiding falls in the winter: While exercise in the winter is important, icy walkways unfortunately pose a higher risk of falling. This can lead to a higher risk of injury, such as strains, sprains, and tears. At Performance Therapy Institute, we want to make sure you stay as balanced this winter, so you can enjoy doing activities the activities of the season without fearing a harsh fall! Therearesomestepsyoucan takeonyourown todecreaseyour riskofsustaining a fall-related injury while participating in winter activities. These include: • Choose shoes with winter soles for traction. You can also get a pair of ski or walking poles to help keep your balance. As an added bonus, these poles will also help you burn extra calories since your upper body is getting a workout too. • Add slip-on spikes to your boots on the extra icy days, to reduce your risk of slips and falls. • Allow at least 10 minutes to warm up when exercising in the winter. When it’s cold, your heart and muscles need more time to get ready and prepare for exercise – this can help you avoid unwanted injuries. • Add in any additional assists, as needed. Snow and ice are the main culprits for many injuries during the wintertime, which is why it is important to add to your stability. Ice cleats or rubber-soled boots can provide you with grip and support. Using a cane or crutch can also help in remaining steady on frozen terrain. Our trained physical therapists can help you figure out if an additional assist would benefit you. Contact us today! Whether you’re looking for ways to get moving in the winter or figuring out how to maneuver icy terrain, Performance Therapy Institute can help. Contact us today to find out how we can help make your winter season as enjoyable as possible!
Just because it is winter, it doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors! It is easy to want to stay in, nestled up in blankets, while it’s snowy and cold. However, remaining active in the winter months is just as important as remaining active duringanyotherseason!Thewinterpresentsseveral funactivities thatcandouble as workouts. Even something as small as taking a walk around the neighborhood or building a snowman with your kids can give you the amount of daily exercise you need. At Performance Therapy Institute, we can design specialized treatment plans for anyone who may need a little extra push in staying active during the winter. Contact us today to learn more! What are the benefits of exercising during the winter? It is an undeniable fact thatdailyexercise isan importantpartofstayinghealthyandpromotingwellness. It seems easier to get up and exercise when it is warm out, but there is actually evidence to support the benefits of working out in the cold. Depending on the type of workout, exercising in colder weather can actually have a more positive effect on the body than exercising in the heat. According to a study titled “Exercise in the cold,” found in the Journal of Sports Sciences, temperatures hovering around 50 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal for high or moderate intensity workouts. Conversely, low intensity workouts are better performed indoors during colder months, as sufficient metabolic heat may not be generated well enough to offset the cooler environment. Exercise also helps loosens muscles that may become stiff in the winter months. Additional benefits to winter exercising include: • Sunlight intake. Vitamin D is important! Many people lack Vitamin D in the winter, due to a scarcity of desire to venture out in the cold. However, simply stepping outside can have positive effects. Sunlight can act as a natural mood booster, which may even increase motivation to exercise. • Absence of heat/humidity. Too much heat or humidity can sometimes feel suffocating. During colder months, this isn’t an issue. In fact, exercising in the cold can feel invigorating, as the crisp air can increase your energy. You run out of breath easier when it is hot and humid, so when that is taken away, you may
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