How to Stay Active in the Winter

With freezing temperatures, the risk of icy roads and snowy weather, the wintertime is less than ideal for getting outside to stay active and improve your physical health. In fact, a poll found that 86% of U.S. adults say their activity levels drop vastly during the winter due to less motivation to get outside to stay active. 

When it comes to finding tips for how to stay active in the winter, it can be difficult for older adults to find activities and routines that allow them to fully – and safely – optimize their abilities, especially given the hazardous weather conditions that many areas of the country experience during this time of year. However, there are still plenty of simple ways to get moving and maintain your physical health during the winter!

At Astral at Auburn, our senior living community in Auburn, Indiana, promotes active living and encourages residents to take advantage of our amenities and programs to help them enhance their wellness. Here are some strategies you can implement to help you stay active this winter.

Online Exercise Videos

Thanks to the internet, various online platforms allow influencers, creators and fitness trainers to create virtual workout programs so their followers can reap the benefits of a great workout from the comfort of their homes. 

Whether you want to try out a new yoga regimen or discover different exercises to implement into your daily routine, websites like YouTube are wonderful resources for finding online workout videos. The best part? Some of these videos are free and specifically created for older adults, providing step-by-step instructions that incorporate stretching, strength training and low-impact cardio exercises.

“One of the most popular reasons for working out to an online video is that it offers the ultimate convenience. No need to roll out of bed at 5:00 a.m. to make that 6:00 a.m. boot camp class, which may end up being full when you arrive. Instead, you can turn it on at home at your convenience. And if you’re on the road? No problem. You can access your workout via your phone, tablet or laptop (CNN).”

Invest in Home Workout Equipment

While many assume that at-home workout equipment involves ordering expensive treadmills or weight sets, that’s certainly not the case! For example, you can find reasonably priced items online or in sporting goods stores, like:

• Yoga mats
• Hand weights 
• Resistance bands
• Kettlebells
• Stability balls

Use What You Have at Home

If you’re unable to get to a store, or you don’t want to spend money right away on equipment, why not try to implement items that you already have at home? You don’t need to order special equipment to get a great workout! Here are some examples:

• Use cans of soup or water bottles as hand weights
• Use a dining room chair to help you move from a sitting position into a standing position
• Walk up/down a hallway or up/down a staircase multiple times to get your steps in

Schedule Movement Time Every Day

Many of us spend a lot of our days sitting or in a resting state, but it’s essential to move around and regain some energy throughout the day. Plan specific times throughout each day to get moving, whether walking around your home for a set time of 30 minutes or finding an online workout video to get you on your feet. Not only does this help keep you active, but implementing smaller bursts of movement throughout the day can keep you refreshed and focused. 

You can also utilize this time while you complete household chores! For example, try to complete a set of squats or stretches as you fix your morning coffee and breakfast, or put your laundry away one item at a time to gain some extra steps. If you’re watching TV or reading a book during your downtime, try to challenge yourself to get up and walk a small distance around your home every hour or so. 

Moving to Astral at Auburn means being a part of a vibrant community that prioritizes all aspects of wellness. Our activity groups and wellness amenities make it convenient and easy for residents to enjoy staying active during the winter – and all year long!

We invite you to contact our team today to discover our senior living community in Auburn, Indiana.