Why is exercising important in the winter?

Arabia Weather - In the cold winter, the effect of exercise clearly appears as a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy body and mind. Being physically active during this season is essential to overcome the health challenges that our body can experience as a result of harsh weather conditions. In this context, we will review a number of the wonderful benefits that come with exercising in the winter, from enhancing physical fitness to improving mental health.

Exercising during the winter provides the body with many amazing benefits, including:

• Enhancing mental absorptive capacity: Exercising contributes to improving the ability to think and mental concentration.
• Maintaining physical fitness and increasing endurance: It contributes to maintaining body fitness and increasing physical endurance.
• Resisting laziness and lethargy: It contributes to overcoming the feeling of lethargy and laziness resulting from cold weather.
• Reducing the chances of contracting winter diseases: Exercising reduces the chances of contracting colds and influenza, by improving the flow of oxygenated blood to the immune-forming organs.
• Stimulating weight loss: Physical activity in winter stimulates burning more calories, which helps in losing weight and getting rid of excessive obesity.
• Enhancing digestive system functions: Motor activity improves blood flow to the intestines and stomach, which helps reduce the chances of developing problems such as indigestion, constipation, and bloating.
• Improving mental health: Exercising improves mood and prevents depression, which directly enhances mental health.
• Reducing joint inflammation: Physical activity in winter contributes to reducing joint inflammation and improving their strength and flexibility, which reduces pain and swelling.

How can one maintain physical activity during the winter?

Exercising at this time of year is essential, as this has obvious health benefits for the body, from strengthening immunity to burning calories.

• Proper breathing: You should focus on breathing through the nose during exercise, as this contributes to improving physical performance and providing a sufficient amount of oxygen to the body.
• Rest periods: Care should be taken to obtain appropriate rest periods between each exercise, which enhances physical recovery and contributes to avoiding excessive fatigue.
• Skin protection: Do not underestimate the importance of sunscreen, even on cold days. It protects the skin from harmful rays and maintains its health.
• Bathing with warm water: After exercising, bathing the body with warm water is necessary to clean the skin from traces of sweat and prepare it for the cellular regeneration process.
• Paying attention to clothing: Wearing heavy clothing is essential, especially when engaging in outdoor activities, to maintain body temperature.
• Drying the shoes: The shoes must be dried well 48 hours before the start of the exercises, to avoid the effect of moisture on dampening shocks.
• Be careful on windy days: You should refrain from exercising outdoors during windy days, as the wind may lead to a sharp drop in temperature.
• Concentration while running: Good concentration while running in winter helps improve breathing techniques and maintain attention.
• Appropriate clothing: Following the “onion layer” principle of dressing helps control body temperature and allows layers to be adjusted as needed.
• Consult a specialized trainer who will help you choose exercises suitable for the body and general health, especially on cold days, and he can direct you to activities that can be easily practiced indoors.

Source: hiamag