How To Avoid Getting Sick With Winter Sports
It’s that time of year when you’d probably rather be curled up on the sofa with a hot chocolate than outside exercising – but winter sports can help you fight off all of the bugs that are around this time of the year. In this article we look at why you should get outside and what equipment you need.
Winter is here and we all couldn’t be more excited for the holidays and the most beautiful time of the year. The time when we want to let go and have fun without any care or worry in the world.
But that doesn’t mean that our bodies are ready for it too. Even if we are physically fit as winter arrives, the changing weather can affect our bodies if we are not careful of both internal and external factors, including our diet, physical activities, warm environment etc.
Now, just like summers or any other time of the year, one thing that never fails to keep our bodies fit and healthy, internally, is playing sports regularly.
Because sports help to exercise your body and mind along with releasing endorphins, which trigger happiness and satisfaction within us, playing even just one can lead to a very prominent change in your fitness and behavior.
Despite that, playing sports comes with certain instructions and precautions which you cannot ignore, if you want to escape the effects of the weather. Sports affect the internal systems of your body, strengthen them, but they cannot wholly protect you from the extreme influence of the weather if you don’t heed these seasonal precautions and keep warm and protected in cold climates.
Proper Playing Kits
We know how you all love playing in your light trousers and shorts during the day and that’s all good for the summers but when winter comes, you protect yourself, with warm clothes and proper, winter playing kits.
We have common summer and winter sports, like football, basketball, hockey etc., but then we have special winter sports too, like snowboarding, skiing, ice-hockey etc. Now indoor games do not require any such preparations but all outdoor games during winters require you to cover yourself properly along with donning other sport appropriate gear.
For almost all outdoor sports and games, you’ll need a pair of these socks and items like chest and leg warmers, jackets, gloves and proper shoes to avoid getting frostbite. So, do your research regarding the availability and price-tags of these materials because they will be an investment in your health.
In order to make sure you’re geared up properly, check out a hockey shop, sports shop or browse online marketplaces to get equipment so that you can enjoy your chosen sport safely.
Proper Diet
In winters, our bodies are usually working overtime to keep us warm enough using our bodies’ energy reserves acquired through food and nutrition. Moreover, those same reserves are used to provide the requisite energy to play a sport. So if our food intake is not enough to match the energy we actually spend, then the body becomes more prone to disease and damage.
Image Source: Good intent diet by Pixel2013 on Pixabay.com
Consequently, when we play outside in a cold weather, despite being properly covered, even the smallest change in weather or a cold bout of air can make us sick and feverish. So, proper diet including a lot of fruits, vegetables, meat, and nuts that are full of minerals, vitamins and probiotics along with the basic nutrients to fortify your immune system is as important as warm clothing.
Vaccination
As winters approach, make sure to get yourself vaccinated against diseases like Influenza, which is one of the best proactive steps to avoid getting sick during winters. Moreover, if you plan to visit some other country for a special winter sport, take special note of the vaccinations required to travel there safely before you make any other arrangements.
Take care in interacting with sick people
Most of the diseases spread through germs left by other sick people while sneezing or coughing. So you can use face masks to cover your nose and mouth while interacting with sick people and then afterward, properly wash your hands with soap. Do not share personal items like towels, cups, toothbrushes etc. and take medication soon after if you feel a bit under the weather too.
Winters are a lot of fun and only a little bit of care can help you make the most of this time of the year without any glitches.