Stay Active in the Winter Months

Winter can seem everlasting as a result of countless days of snow shovelling, poor driving conditions, and the bitter cold that chills you to the bone.

Some tend to hibernate during the winter months and turn to Netflix, curled up on the sofa where it is warm and safe. However, as tempting as it is to stay indoors during the cold weather, physical activity remains paramount to healthy active living and injury prevention.

It is simpler than you might think to get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and to exercise at the same time. Activities such as skating on a pond or rink or tobogganing or building a snowman are fun ways to keep your body moving in a productive way. Wrapping up warm with a good winter coat, mittens, and hat will make the experience even more enjoyable. The physiotherapists at the Toronto wellness clinic would agree that it is crucial to get out and enjoy physical activities all year round. For those avid runners, ensure that you invest in a good pair of running shoes designed for winter running and let the training continue.

If you feel that being outside in the cold temperatures is overwhelming, then turn to indoor activities where you can optimize your physical activity. Yonge and Bloor physio would suggest that you could join a gym, or a local recreation centre where you can play racquetball or swim in their indoor pool.  The costs are actually quite low to enjoy a physically active winter. If you don’t want to join a local organization, then create your own workout routine at home by doing jumping jacks or skip rope or run up and down your stairs, and if you have a treadmill use that to your advantage. Remember that healthy active living improves your body, your cardiovascular system, and your mind.

Rosedale clinic sees patients that have suffered falls and sustained injuries due to slippery sidewalk or road conditions. Physiotherapists at Yonge and Bloor suggest that your boots and shoes should have good treads to make walking easier and safer. There are countless styles of footwear that have rubber soles with non-slip treads to keep you safe throughout the winter months. Even purchasing spikes and coils to attach to the bottom of your footwear can help you to stick to the ice and snow to avoid falls and associated injuries.

At the Toronto wellness clinic, we recognize that not everyone can afford proper footwear to traverse the ice and snow, so it’s important to keep in mind that shuffling or keeping your feet close to the ground can keep you balanced and significantly safer on the city sidewalks and streets.

Remember, take the necessary steps to enjoy an injury-free season while maintaining a healthy active lifestyle.

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