If you don’t live in a warm climate or aren’t planning on heading to a vacation home or rental this winter, you’ll probably want to be prepared for everything a serious winter season can throw your way. This time of year, it can be tough to get the right amount of exercise for many of us. Here are some winter wellness tips that will help you stay safe and healthy this winter.
Shovel safely
Shoveling snow is great exercise, but it’s also important to take care to prevent back injury and cardiac strain. Stretch to warm up before you shovel and lift with your legs bent, keeping your back straight. Make sure to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
Get off the couch
If winter sports such as skiing or ice skating aren’t your favorite, try indoor activities like basketball or aerobic dance classes. You can even try video games that have you stand up and move around to play, such as Wii Sports on Nintendo’s Wii or Wii U consoles, or Xbox Fitness on the Xbox One.
Winter-proof your home
Installing weather stripping and insulation, or even storm windows, can help keep rain and snow out of your house and keep the heat in. It’s also a good idea to test your heating systems and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before winter starts.
Be ready for the road
Get your car’s radiator serviced and make sure its antifreeze is at the right level. You may also want to put together an emergency kit for your car, in case you get stuck on a wintry road. This can include booster cables, flares, blankets, food and water, a flashlight, extra batteries, and a first-aid kit, as well as any other items you think you may need.
