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It can be hard to maintain your routine in winter, especially when it comes to exercise or other activities. With colder temperatures and fewer daylight hours, it can be easy just to snuggle up until it gets warm again. But staying active in the winter can have great benefits on your overall health. Apart from increasing your energy level and improving your sleep, sticking to your activities can improve your mood and reduce your risk of getting seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which can cause fatigue and depression.
6 Tips to Keep Your Family Active in Winter
Staying active during the colder months can help you increase your endurance and even burn more fat, as well as improve your mental health. Here are 6 tips to keep your family active this winter.
- Family Walks – Don’t let cold weather keep you inside, bundle up and take a walk. When it snows, you can still get out and get moving by walking around the mall, or another indoor area.
- Do Some Chores – If cold weather is keeping you from going outside, doing chores such as vacuuming, sweeping and cleaning can help you break a sweat while helping you mark some items off your to-do list.
- Indoor Sports – There are many sports you and your family can still do indoors. Bowling, ice skating, hockey and basketball are all activities you can enjoy inside that keep you moving.
- Stretching and Yoga – Trying some gentle yoga or stretching can help you center your mind and stay active during the cold months. Find a yoga class online to do in the comfort of your own home.
- Dancing – Getting your groove on can shake off the winter blues as well as get your endorphins flowing. If you want to make it more active, try turning on a dance tutorial or watching an online Zumba class that will double as a workout.
- Family Game Night – Having a family game night is sure to keep the winter blues away, but for a more active approach, try playing games that require some movement, like Twister, Simon Says or Charades.
If you do decide to enjoy the cold weather outdoors, it’s important to know how to dress for the weather. Layering will help you protect yourself from the elements, while allowing your skin to breathe and sweat. Wearing a hat is very important as you lose 90% of your body heat through your head. If it’s dark outside, remember to wear reflective gear and carry a light. Also, pay attention to areas that might be more slippery than usual. Sturdy shoes with good traction are essential.
Winter can be a challenging time to keep up your activities, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little creativity, you and your family can be able to stay just as active when it’s cold outside. For more tips on how to improve your overall health this winter, or to find out how to sign up for health benefits, contact Jai Medical Systems today!