The benefits of exercising during the winter months go well beyond being beneficial for your skin. Exercising during the winters can also prove to be extremely satisfying and it can go a long way in helping you improve your mood, particularly when you exercise in the mornings. However, exercising in the cold winter months can also be quite risky. This Resveralife Live Well Guide from Vine Vera examines some of the best tips to follow while exercising during the winter months.

Warm up your body before going outdoors

It is very important to start off with your warm-ups while you’re still indoors. Allow the body a chance to be able to ease into the workout routine. To do so, all you need to do is warm up for a few minutes while you’re still indoors. Once you’re outside, take a 30 second break in every few minutes for the first 10 minutes to allow your body to be able to adjust to the chilly conditions.

Cool down over a period of time

Cooling down the right way is as important as a proper warm up. You need to start cooling down over three to four minutes before the end of your routine by slowly easing up on the pressure. Once you get back indoors, remove a few layers of your clothing and make sure that you’re active for another 5 – 10 minutes to allow your body to cool down properly. If you end up experiencing some muscle soreness, apply a pain relieving gel on the problem area.

Dress properly

Don’t forget to layer up properly before venturing outdoors. You might want to wear layers that can be removed once you complete your warm ups in order to avoid any sort of discomfort. The ideal way to do so is to start off with a thin layer of synthetic materials like polypropylene to ensure that the sweat stays away from your body. The next layer should always be an insulator layer like wool or fleece and the topmost layer should be waterproof with a breathable shell. It is also important to cover up your hands, ears, neck, head and feet, depending on the conditions outside. These body parts are the ones that are most affected by the cold. Don’t forget to add reflective panels on your clothing if it’s still dark outside.

Take proper care of your feet

Making sure that you keep your feet warm and dry is very important for ensuring that you don’t end up with blisters. Wear sports socks which help you to draw away perspiration from your skin and use shoes that have a decent tread.   

Don’t ignore the importance of weather reports

Don’t forget to check the weather report before heading out. Things like pelting rain and biting winds won’t do you any favors. It is essential to be flexible with your workout timings during the winter months. And if things look really bad, take a rain check on your exercise.

Chalk out your route

Have a pre-fixed route in mind and don’t forget to keep to well lit areas when it’s dark or damp. Try to perform loops around your neighborhood and repeat them. You can also head over to the local park, provided that it is well lit.  Make sure that someone is aware of your route, in case something goes south.

Don’t ease up on your hydration

Just because you’re sweating less during the winters doesn’t mean that you need less water. Don’t ease up on your water intake and stick to a minimum of 10 – 12 glasses of water each day. Try drinking water before, during and after your workouts. Force yourself to a glass of water if you don’t feel thirsty.