Five ways to stay active this winter
It might be tempting to curl up inside during the winter months and neglect your exercise regimen. However, sustaining physical and emotional well-being during the winter months requires continued physical activity. We'll look at five practical strategies in this post to help you stay active and happy all winter long.
These tactics, which range from enjoying indoor exercises and winter sports to taking in the beauty of a snow-covered environment, can keep you engaged and inspired and make sure that the winter blues don't undermine your will to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Do Yoga for General Fitness
This age-old method is unique in that it addresses the body and the psyche. Yoga can help you get in better physical form, and breathing and meditation techniques will help you become in better mental health—a crucial aspect during a pandemic.
A mat, some room to stretch, and clothes that breathe are all you need. Not sure where to begin? Online yoga courses range from beginning to expert and are many. Go to websites like Yoga Basics and Yoga Journal, which provide a thorough introduction to the discipline, if you want to learn more before you commit.
Work with free weights
Strength training does not require a membership or an expensive home gym. Dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells are examples of free weights that are all you need to lift weights at home. This equipment is used in home fitness video series, and there are whole workouts that use nothing but free weights.
Machines operate on the body in a different way than free weights. Dumbbell exercises, for instance, are still very effective workouts even if they use more muscles simultaneously than machine exercises.
See a physical therapist before beginning weight training to find out what kinds of exercises and weights are best for you.
Do bodyweight training
Lacking weights in your home? Benefit from bodyweight workouts, which require no resistance other than your own body. Exercises that successfully burn calories and develop muscle include squats, lunges, sit-ups, push-ups, climbing, and jumping jacks. They also take up minimal room and require no equipment. You may select from hundreds of bodyweight exercises, although starter guidelines are available.
Get dancing
There's no better way to get moving and enjoy yourself simultaneously. Depending on the kind of dance, dancing may burn hundreds of calories in an hour, according to a Harvard Health Publishing study.
Try virtual Zumba lessons if you want to push yourself. Zumba is a dancing and fitness program that features energetic, quick-paced dance moves that are meant to burn calories.
Trot a bedroom
Jogging or walking is a low-maintenance, socially isolating method to keep active if you don't mind facing the weather. Just make sure your attire suits the situation: Dressing 20 degrees warmer than you actually are helps runners avoid overheating once they've warmed up in the cold. Depending on the temperature, that might entail donning a cap, long sleeves, gloves, or layers of clothing. Simple stretches can help you warm up before your workout since they can enhance your performance in physical activities, improve blood flow to your muscles, and reduce your risk of injury.