The onset of the cold weather in New England spurs many of us to do nothing more than cozy up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa by the wood burning stove with the dog curled up at our feet. However, Newburyporters have an advantage when it comes to staying active, since our city offers a veritable playground of winter activities. Plus, the benefits of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle are just as important now as in the summer when we’re more inspired to venture out of doors; it’s just a bit more difficult to goad ourselves on to brave the cold and get moving. We all need to get the blood flowing, burn some calories, and work our muscles. We might even discover that there are ways to play outside andindoors, just like we did when we were kids.
Affordable Adventures
Whether you choose cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in Maudslay State Park. Maudslay ice-skating on the Artichoke, sledding on March’s Hill, or a snowball fight with the kids in the backyard, working-out outside is great exercise and great fun. Cross country skiing is a lot more affordable than down hill skiing, since you don’t have to buy lift tickets or pay for lessons. All you need are skis, poles, boots and bindings and off you go. Once you get the hang of the gliding motion and how to navigate small inclines, you’re all set for hours of great exercise, all while exploring the great outdoors. And the beautiful trails of Maudslay are close to home, so you also save on overnight stays in hotels. Local enthusiasts suggest that you stick to already established trails in the snow for an easier trek. Go with a friend or alone for a serene and scenic excursion.
The Psychology of Sun
What many of us need is the motivation to get moving, and what better incentive than the healing effect of sun exposure. If the beauty of our natural landscape isn’t enough to spring you from your easy chair, think about the positive effects caused in the human body merely by being outside, even on a cloudy day. The sun has been vilified for its damaging UVB rays, which are a real concern due to skin cancer risk; however, it’s important to get some sun exposure without sunscreen protection in order to get our daily dose of vitamin D, which can also be taken as a supplement. Barbara White, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and stress management expert summarizes the research this way: “Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked with increased chances of a number of health
related disorders, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and auto immune disorders in general,” which are also discussed in this Harvard Health newsletter.
Stress Management News
According to Professor White, there are actual physiological changes that occur in the body when we experience stress, including the release of stress hormones, specifically cortisol and epinephrine (aka adrenalin) . “Stress hormones can accumulate in the body when we’re chronically stressed.” she explains. “Exercise burns them off and lowers the levels by using them in your body.” But the key to stress management, she discovered, is the “perception of stress” in your life, since what may be stressful for one person, may not be for someone else. So identifying that source can have great impact on your quality of life. “Laughter is a good stress reducer-it’s one of many alternate ways to manage stress.”
Staying Young at Heart
There are excellent choices here in town for quite a variety of indoor activity options as well, which will keep us fit and in a youthful state of mind such as ice-skating at The Graff Rink, indoor swimming at The Newburyport YWCA, and indoor rock climbing at Metro Rock. In-home Pilates classes tone your muscles, promote balance, and help maximize the benefits of any other sport or activity you do. And it doesn’t hurt that it keeps you looking great so that your summer wardrobe fits when the time comes to wear it. TheSTOTT Pilates method, which I teach, encourages fluid movement and strengthens the muscles around the joints for greater stability, less stress, and increased range of motion. The Dance Place in The Tannery offers Jazz, Ballet, Modern and African dance classes for all ages. Moving to music is not only great exercise, but it is also a wonderful form of expression and release that gives you a sense of freedom, the kind that comes so naturally to kids. Activities like dance and Pilates that require coordination also challenge your mind in a unique way and create new neurological pathways, enhancing your brain health and keeping your mind sharp.
So make that effort to fight inertia and find ways to stay active during the cold months. There are so many benefits to your health, and the rewards are that you’ll feel great, stay healthier, and maybe even recapture some of your youth. And don’t worry, when you’re done exercising, the couch will still be there when you’re done, so go ahead, break out the hot cocoa and relax a bit-you earned it!
We welcome Andrienne Motezinos to our family of Newburyport Today contributors. Andrienne is the owner of Newburyport Pilates and will be posting articles on health and fitness in the Newburyport area.
