Winter is here! The snow and cold is here to stay—but you can still move and be active. Don’t let winter conditions break all your physical activity habits and goals. The benefits of physical activity in the winter months are especially important for helping us feel better when the days are short and dark, it’s icy outside, and you don’t want to leave the house. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), physical activity can help you sleep better and reduce anxiety. Regular physical activity also helps: 

• Improve your balance. 

• Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes and many kinds of cancer. 

• Strengthen bones and muscles. 

• Lower blood pressure. 

• Maintain or lose weight. 

• Keep your mind sharp as you get older. 

Emerging research also suggests physical activity may help boost your immune function, the CDC reports. With all the health benefits in mind, here are a few ideas for ways to stay active during the cold winter season! 

• Dance party – Turn on some tunes and dance—it’s fun, it’s moving, and you can get your heart rate up! 

• March in place – Marching in place is a low-impact exercise that improves cardiovascular health, balance, and leg mobility. 

• Body weight activity – Trying incorporating wall push-ups, jumping jacks ( you can modify them to your level and can be easier on your joints) squats, and lunges into your exercise routine. 

• Online fitness videos or apps – YouTube has all kinds of free activity options and there are also many apps that you can download and use. You can find yoga, resistance training (grab some soup cans or milk jugs), cardio workouts, core, and balance workouts.  

• Chores – Cleaning counts—vacuuming, sweeping, and other chores can increase your heart rate!  

• Take it outside – You can walk outside, snowshoe, go sledding, or shovel snow. It’s good to get Vitamin D exposure, but make sure to dress appropriately and take extra precautions on slippery surfaces. 

• Stairs – If you have stairs, take a few laps! Do some calf raises or stretches on the stairs too!