Don't Let Cold Temperatures Slow You Down

Clark, NJ October 21st, 2015 - As the year rapidly approaches its conclusion, nature itself seems to be slowing down - from the grass that grows, the wind that blows and the outdoor temperatures that dip to uncomfortable lows.

Perhaps taking its cue from Mother Nature, the body itself plods along as well, as the cold weather makes it harder to get up and go. It’s part of the reason for why the most popular months that Americans call out sick are all during winter, specifically December, January and February, according to a recent poll.

No one likes to catch a cold or the flu, but by staying active, your chances of avoiding a bug improve considerably.

A number of studies confirm this, including one published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2010. As noted by the study’s authors, the average adult experiences between two and five colds per year, most of them taking place when the temperatures dip. But as the research documented, the severity of symptoms can be reduced considerably by remaining upright and active.

“This is yet more evidence for doing exercise,” Steve Field, Ph.D., one of the study’s principal investigators and chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, toldBBC News. “It reflects what we have believed for some time.”

Though the effects of the cold weather may not make outdoor activities always conducive, there are plenty of things to do inside to keep you busy:

Join a gym
If you’ve been putting it off, now’s the time to join a health club. Many health and fitness centers offer discounts around this time to encourage people to sign up.

Do housework
Daily chores may not seem like an activity that’s akin to exercise. While it may not be as labor intensive, it does keep the heart rate up and increase blood flow, which the body needs to experience the benefits of staying active. Plus, it kills two birds with one stone by keeping the various rooms of the house in tip-top shape.

Take the stairs
Do you work somewhere that has an elevator? If so, consider taking the stairs more frequently. If you have a pedometer, you’ll notice quite a difference in how many steps you take in a day by utilizing stairwells.

Go skiing
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t do outdoorsy things that keep you active while having fun at the same time. Ski season is approaching and resorts all over the country are offering deep discounts on lift tickets, equipment and ski packages. Just be sure to bundle up before you hit the slopes.

Be proactive about home maintenance
The ice, snow and bitter wind gusts of winter combine to make it the third-largest causeof insured catastrophe losses each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. While you may not be able stop Old Man Winter’s arrival, you can reduce the severity of its impact by being proactive around the house, like having the furnace serviced, scheduling to have the chimney swept and cleaning out the gutters to prevent localized flooding.

For information on homeowners insurance and how to keep your policy “active” so that it doesn’t lapse when you need it most, visit The Insurance Centers site. Or Donna Bateman at 908-272-2073.

Photo and article courtesy of Selective Insurance Group, Inc.