21/12/2022
Cold weather actually has many health benefits! ☃️ Bundle up and head outdoors!
❄️ It's an old wives' tale that being out in the cold makes you sick!
In fact, it's the opposite! Being indoors for so many hours during the winter increases our exposure to cold and flu viruses and other germs, dirt, bacteria, dander, and mold. The more time you spend indoors with little or no ventilation, the more likely you are to be exposed. Get outside and breathe deep!
🧊 Cold weather can reduce inflammation.
Similar to putting ice on an injury, cold weather can reduce inflammation and pain. One study found that runners exposed to cold temperatures recovered faster from workouts. This suggests that exercising in winter may result in less inflammation and soreness than in the summer. If you're congested, cold air can also reduce inflammation in your nasal cavity, making it easier to breathe!
🌨 If you're feeling foggy headed, there's something to stepping outside for some fresh air to think! There’s evidence suggesting our brains work better at cooler temperatures.
⛷Cold weather may help you burn more calories. Our bodies have to work harder to regulate our body temperature, which can help us burn fat. A 2017 study of 53 people showed that participants burned 34 per cent more calories while hiking when the temperature hovered between -5°C and -10°C, than they did while hiking on 10°C days.
🤧 If you're an outdoor allergy sufferer, you get some relief in cold weather! Plants don't make pollen in the winter.
💙 Cold weather can be good for heart health.
In cold weather, the heart works harder during periods of physical exertion to pump blood and maintain the body’s temperature which is a good thing if you're healthy and trying to increase your stamina. However, if you’re at risk for heart disease, be careful when exercising outdoors in the cold. It can raise blood pressure, and decrease oxygen to the brain, putting stress on your heart.
https://www.readersdigest.ca/health/healthy-living/cold-weather-good-for-you/
🏂 What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?
