Winter is the ideal time of year for gliding around an ice rink or speeding down ski slopes with friends and family. However, many of us are either too busy to take advantage of the season or believe it is too chilly to venture outside in this weather.
It turns out that participating in outdoor winter activities in NYC offers a variety of health benefits. Whether you want to go for a winter stroll or jog, or perhaps you want to try something new like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, you can feel good about having a wonderful time knowing that you’re burning calories and increasing your heart rate.
Increased Resting Metabolism
People who are often exposed to the cold air have faster metabolisms than those who are not. Even spending an hour or two doing outdoor winter activities in NYC every day can help you burn more calories, as long as you do it continuously.
Every day, take a stroll around the block or make a snowman with your children to keep them active. Simply going outside in the cold and the aerobic advantages you’ll receive from those activities will aid in maintaining your weight loss.
Combat Seasonal Depression
Getting outside and into the sunlight can help alleviate the effects of winter depression. Being exposed to a small amount of sunshine during the winter months, when the days are shorter, and many people feel imprisoned indoors, may do wonders for your mental health.
Exercising also triggers the production of epinephrine, often known as adrenaline, and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters that make us feel good. So don’t be scared to engage in a snowball battle, go cross-country skiing on a snowy Saturday afternoon, or visit a place like Wollman Rink.
