It’s been a cold winter so far. January is usually the coldest month and it has only just started. A lot of people like to stay indoors and hibernate where it’s warm and cozy, myself included, especially when the temperatures dip to single digits and below 0.
I try to view winter as nature’s cold plunge. Cold plunging involves sitting in a tub of ice water for a few minutes. It is supposed to help improve circulation and strengthen the immune system. It burns brown fat. Brown fat burns calories more efficiently than white fat and helps control a person’s weight better.
Cold exposure also helps improve mental clarity. Going outside to clean the vehicle off does leave me feeling clear headed and refreshed. Cold exposure releases dopamine, leading to a better mood, increases oxygen in the brain which increases serotonin.
Cold temperatures help improve sleep. Sleep experts recommend keeping bedrooms between 60F – 68F.
Brief cold exposure activates autophagy which is where the body clears out old, damaged cells and replaces them with new healthy ones.
Cold exposure helps reduce inflammation and increase mitochondria production leading to anti-aging affects.
While we’re in the deep freeze this winter, try to remember the cold is good for you to a certain degree and helps you burn fat.
Challenge:
Go for a walk outside when it’s cold. Start slow though and work your way up. I walk up and down my driveway for 1000 steps year round. During the winter, I just put on winter clothes and go walk. Most times I try to talk myself out of it, but still do it anyways which always leaves me feeling invigorated afterwards.
Even just heading outside for a minute or two is better than nothing.
Resources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024320525000645?via%3Dihub
https://www.the-well.com/editorial/6-ways-cold-exposure-makes-you-younger-happier-and-healthier