Do you want to live a longer and more energetic life?
It might surprise you, but a simple solution could lie in the coldest season of the year.
Cold-weather outdoor activities are one of the most effective (yet underutilized) ways to increase longevity, burn calories, and feel more energized.
Here’s the good news…
It’s not necessary to be a professional athlete to gain these rewards. All it takes is getting outside when the weather gets colder and having some fun skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in the winter wonderland.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why Cold-Weather Exercise Is Different
- The Connection Between Winter Activities and Longevity
- How Skiing Boosts Health
- Getting Started the Correct Way
Why Cold-Weather Exercise Is Different
When it comes to working out, colder temperatures are different.
Here’s why…
When exposed to low temperatures, the body works harder to regulate its internal temperature. This extra exertion sets off a chain reaction of benefits that cannot be obtained from regular indoor exercises.
Let’s look at what takes place:
Your body starts to burn more calories to try to maintain a constant core temperature. The cold environment stimulates the production of mitochondria and boosts anti-inflammation across the entire body. Cold-weather exposure also activates longevity genes pathways.
Research from CNN reveals that individuals who reach the advised 150 minutes of weekly exercise have a 31% decreased risk of death than those who do not exercise at all.
That is a significant reduction.
However, here’s the issue…
Winter is when most people prefer to just stay indoors and hibernate. The couch becomes more comfortable. Netflix seems so much more entertaining. And before they realize it, winter is over with extra pounds and achy joints.
The answer is to participate in some winter sports that make exercise a lot of fun. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter activities are an excellent way to gain incredible health benefits while also having a great time.
Before that, though, the right gear is essential. If you want to shop for quality ski pants, choosing moisture-wicking materials that warm the body is crucial but not overheat. Good ski pants can be the difference between a terrible and a comfortable day with hours of enjoyable activity.
The Connection Between Winter Activities and Longevity
Cold-weather activities do more than help in burning calories.
They also help to increase lifespan.
Why does this work?
Research from Harvard Medical School found that in colder temperatures your heart rate is lower, which causes you to sweat less and use less energy. This means you can work out more efficiently while also reaping some significant benefits.
Studies also show that cold weather exercise helps to convert white fat (belly fat and thigh fat) to calorie-burning brown fat. This change in the body helps with long-term weight loss and health.
The mental health advantages are also pretty impressive…
Winter activities also help to prevent seasonal affective disorder by giving the body more exposure to sunlight. The combination of fresh air, exercise, and sunlight is an excellent mood-lifting cocktail.
The University of Illinois conducted a study that found that individuals who worked out outdoors had more feelings of joy and were more likely to stick with their fitness routines than those who only exercised indoors.
Isn’t that amazing?
How Skiing Boosts Health
Skiing might be the best winter activity for wellness.
Skiing allows you to combine cardio, strength, and balance training into one complete and thrilling package. It also provides serious calorie-burning.
Look at some numbers here:
- Downhill skiing: 300 to 600 calories burned per hour
- Cross-country skiing: 500 to 900 calories burned per hour
- Up the intensity and the advanced terrain, and these numbers increase even more
However, calorie-burning is not the only advantage of skiing.
Skiing works out almost every muscle group in the body. The legs (quads, hamstrings, and glutes), core, arms, and shoulders all have to work hard to keep balance and control. The arm and shoulder muscles also have a good workout with pole work and stabilization.
The cardiovascular system also reaps many benefits. Downhill skiing is similar to high-intensity interval training. Intense short bursts of exercise alternating with periods of rest as you sit on the chairlift is the ideal recipe for a healthy heart.
Skiing can also help to:
- Improve balance and coordination
- Increase joint flexibility
- Build stronger bones through weight-bearing exercise
- Develop better reaction time and focus
One other thing that most people tend to miss…
Social skiing also contributes to longevity. Sharing experiences on the mountain with other people helps to create bonds and avoid isolation that comes during the winter months.
Getting Started the Correct Way
If you are ready to enjoy winter wellness, start safely, and it makes all the difference.
The body needs to get ready before it can withstand the low temperatures and cold-weather activities.
The preparation essentials are as follows:
- Layer correctly – Begin with a base layer of moisture-wicking materials. Add insulation and cover with wind and water-resistant shells
- Warm-up properly – Stretch the muscles and joints dynamically before starting the activity to avoid injuries
- Drink more water – The body loses water even in cold temperatures, and so it is as important as when working out in the summer
- Progress gradually – Do not start out all guns blazing. Increase the intensity over time
Clothing and footwear make or break the experience. Good-quality ski pants, waterproof gloves, and right insulation can keep the body warm throughout extended sessions.
Look out for these warning signs:
- Numbness in the extremities
- Excessive shivering
- Confusion or slurred speech
- Very red or pale skin
These could be signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Knowing when to call it a day and go inside is as important as heading outside in the first place.
The Mental Health Advantage
Winter activities are very good for mental health.
The combination of exercise, nature, and cold air is an excellent psychological boost. Exercise in the open also has been shown to elevate mood, increase energy levels, and promote a sense of renewal that indoor activity simply cannot match.
For those with seasonal depression, winter sports are a natural cure. Exposure to sunlight helps to regulate the circadian rhythms. Physical activity releases endorphins. The sense of achievement after each activity session builds confidence and a sense of purpose.
Brief cold exposure has also been shown to trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. The so-called “happy hormone” causes a pleasurable elevation that can last for hours after the activity has stopped.
Wrapping Up
Winter does not have to equal hibernation and gaining weight.
Cold-weather activities are one of the best ways to improve health, increase longevity, and also enhance mental well-being. Winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and winter hiking are some excellent ways to take advantage of the season.
The important things to remember are as follows:
- Exercise in cold weather can help to burn more calories and activate longevity pathways
- Skiing is a complete body workout that also builds strength, balance, and cardiovascular endurance
- Get the right gear and layering as well as warm up properly to ensure that winter activities are safe and enjoyable
- Mental health benefits can be just as significant as the physical ones
The research is now out there. Going outside in winter is not just fun…
It’s one of the best things one can do to stay healthy.
So dress warmly, gear up, and get outside. The mountains (or the local trails) are waiting for you. And the rewards will last a lot longer than the winter season.