Winter Fitness
A recent discovery the other day led me to conclude winter has arrived. Perhaps I have been living in a state of denial up until now. But with the sun setting around 4:30PM, temperatures in the 30's for weeks now, and snow flakes frequenting the forecast, outdoor activity feels extremely limited. In an attempt to conquer the winter rut and thrive in this season of crispness, here are a few tips for succeeding.
1. Layers! Learning to layer your workout attire is crucial on cold or windy days (don't be "that guy" running in shorts and a t-shirt in the middle of winter.) I start with a tight fitting base layer, usually a dry fit shirt to wick away the sweat and keep my skin dry. Layer two is always my thermal layer. Whether that be a flannel or fleece, I choose something that will trap in my body heat. Layer three is either an ultra light down jacket(for dry days) or a rain shell(for the wet ones).
2. Visibility! High visibility is your responsibility. If you plan to exercise in the morning or evening you should plan on taking necessary precautions to make yourself seen. Avoid dark colored clothing and instead opt for light colors or reflective materials. If you plan to exercise in an area with frequent car or bicycle traffic using a rear and front light will ensure all other pedestrians and commuters can see you before it is too late.
3. Sunlight! We have a rule in my house, if it's sunny we do not use the car. This initially started as a means by which to take advantage of the gorgeous but all too short summers we have here in Seattle. As the seasons have changed it has become a mandatory means by which to acquire Vitamin D when it is naturally available to us. Seattle has a very dark winter season with Vitamin D extremely limited at times. This means Seasonal Affective Disorder runs rampant in our city and we must take extra precautionary measures not to fall victim to the winter blues. Bike, run, walk, hop, skip. Do whatever you have to do to get outside when it's sunny, your brain will thank you later.
4. Hot Hands! This is my favorite trick and cold weather treat for those days when I know I need to get outside for a bit but cannot seem to brave the cold. Hot Hands warmers chemically react when shaken. You can sneak them into your gloves, shoes, or pockets to keep your extremities toasty when the outside world is not!
5. Ear warmth! Protect those ears from wind chill with a headband or hat. There are few things worse than the feeling of cool wind rushing past your ears and neck. An easy way to fight that is to wear a thick headband or hat which covers your ears.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.