Say it with us: winter is here. For some of us that means it’s time to hide inside until the days are a little longer and the flowers are in bloom. But did you know that spending time outside in the cold can be really, really good for your health? You do now.
Rethink Rural wrote about five reasons we should spend some time out in the cold during fall and winter.
Cold air helps us sleep better, boosting immunity
Nearly every doctor, scientist and health expert agrees, the best natural remedy for boosting immunity is NOT mega-doses of vitamin C or more Echinacea, it’s getting enough sleep. At least 8 hours a night to be exact. Sadly, Americans are chronically deprived of sleep, sleeping 30-45 minutes less per night than other nations. Though sleep aids and therapies may have their place, one of the best ways to ensure a quality night’s sleep is to open a window and let in the cool, fresh air. Why? Before it’s time to sleep, your body temperature naturally drops, signaling your sleep system. And, as this University of Pittsburg study concluded, cooler temperatures help your brain wind down to sleep.
Cold temperatures can help you burn more fat and calories
As reported by the Endocrine Society, long-term exposure to mildly cooler temperatures can help your body produce more beneficial brown fat leading to enhanced metabolism. Brown fat, also known as brown adipose tissue, is a beneficial type of fat that burns energy and glucose to produce heat. It is prevalent in babies and small animals, and helps protect from diabetes and obesity.
Cold temperatures can help reduce inflammation
Just like an ice pack helps soothe strained or sore muscles, science says cold temperatures can help reduce exercise-induced inflammation. Olympians have reported to use the extreme cooling technique known as cryotherapy to help them recover faster and alleviate soreness.
Cold fresh air supports a healthy respiratory system and encourages exercise
In the winter months pollen counts and pollution are naturally lower. If you have children who suffer from bronchial issues, the winter can be a perfect time for them to get outdoors more and breathe in all the benefits of fresher, cleaner air. Likewise, those who suffer from seasonal allergies (or just can’t take the summer heat) are more likely to benefit from outdoor exercise in the winter, when pollens and humidity are at their lowest. As we’ve written about before, outdoor exercise has numerous advantages compared to indoor exercise including enhanced calorie burning, stress-reduction and increased small tendon and muscle strengthening.
Acute exposure to cold has an immunostimulating effect
It seems counter-intuitive, but acute exposure to cold air actually revs up your body’s defenses. How the heck does this work? When your body gets hit with a blast of cold air, like during a brisk walk or outdoor playdate, it perceives this as a stress and temporarily increases its natural killer cells to compensate.”
So whether you’re hitting the slopes, going for a hike, or just taking the dog for a walk, getting outside during the cold winter months can have a seriously good impact on your health. How are you getting outside?
