Tips to Stay Active This Winter from Dr. Karen Lee
Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine, UofA, and author of Fit Cities.
E-mail HforH@ualberta.ca
Dr. Lee’s Top 5
.
1) ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Use your ‘people power’ to move from one place to another, whether this is walking, cycling, snowshoeing, or even cross-country skiing to places you need to visit. Using an active form of travel in your daily commute – to school or your workplace – is an easy way to introduce more activity into your life. For those of you who commute using public transportation, you can also try to get off the bus/train one stop early to increase your physical activity. Just make sure to account for your extra travel time! Plus it’s good for the environment and more people walking on the streets has been shown to make communities safer and more socially connected!
What you can also try: Explore local trails this winter by walking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, especially while our temperatures are mild. And check out Edmonton trail maps to see how you can use trails to get to your everyday destinations.
2) BE ACTIVE WHILE MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO WALK!
In the Winter, seniors and people with disabilities can have a harder time navigating the outdoor environment due to the snow and ice. One way that you can be physically active while also helping more vulnerable populations in your community is by shovelling someone else’s sidewalk as well as your own! Clearing the sidewalks (and the street crossings) of snow and ice can help to create a safer and friendlier environment for your neighbours so that everyone can access the outdoors safely, and experience your community.
3) CHOOSE THE STAIRS!
While it is great to get activity outdoors, an easy way to incorporate more physical activity into your life is to take the stairs. Choosing to use the stairs instead of an elevator/escalator is a quick way to be active, and stairs are usually abundant in most buildings including apartments, office buildings, and in our public areas. We recommend starting by adding 3-5 flights of stairs to your daily routine – see how it goes! You can also try to incorporate stair climbing into your work day for an ‘active break’. Physical activity experts estimate that climbing the stairs just 2 minutes a day can help prevent the average yearly weight gains seen in adults.
4) SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES WHILE EXERCISING!
With small businesses struggling more than ever, it is important that we continue to shop local when we can to keep our communities vibrant! Add your favourite nearby businesses to your walking, running or cycling route, and stop in on your way (while following physical distancing and masking guidelines when you need to visit these businesses providing essential services to you during the pandemic). Connecting with businesses within walking or cycling distance to your home is a win-win for your health and the health of our neighbourhood businesses!
5) GET ACTIVE OUTDOORS AND SPREAD SOME CHEER TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS!
Although most social outings and gatherings are limited right now, we can continue to be active outdoors and connect with our communities in safe and physically distanced ways outside. Try outdoor winter recreation activities like tobogganing and skating with your family to get outdoors and stay active. Make sure to keep a safe physical distance from others who might also be using outdoor rinks and hills – and keep up the community spirit by waving from a distance to your neighbours. Another fun way to spread some local cheer and stay active is by building a BIG snowman – rolling gigantic snowballs will definitely give you a good workout. Decorate your snowman with a friendly smile and some waving arms, and brighten up the community!
This year, more than ever, we are going to need to keep active and healthy safely to help reduce chronic diseases and the severity of COVID-19. Try out some of our suggested ideas and tips, and make sure to always check the latest COVID-19 information and guidelines from the Government of Alberta to stay safe.
Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine, UofA, and author of Fit Cities.
E-mail HforH@ualberta.ca
Dr. Lee’s Top 5
- INCORPORATE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION INTO YOUR TRAVEL!
- BE ACTIVE WHILE MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO WALK!
- CHOOSE THE STAIRS!
- SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES WHILE EXERCISING!
- GET ACTIVE OUTDOORS AND SPREAD SOME CHEER TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS!
.
1) ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Use your ‘people power’ to move from one place to another, whether this is walking, cycling, snowshoeing, or even cross-country skiing to places you need to visit. Using an active form of travel in your daily commute – to school or your workplace – is an easy way to introduce more activity into your life. For those of you who commute using public transportation, you can also try to get off the bus/train one stop early to increase your physical activity. Just make sure to account for your extra travel time! Plus it’s good for the environment and more people walking on the streets has been shown to make communities safer and more socially connected!
What you can also try: Explore local trails this winter by walking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, especially while our temperatures are mild. And check out Edmonton trail maps to see how you can use trails to get to your everyday destinations.
2) BE ACTIVE WHILE MAKING YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO WALK!
In the Winter, seniors and people with disabilities can have a harder time navigating the outdoor environment due to the snow and ice. One way that you can be physically active while also helping more vulnerable populations in your community is by shovelling someone else’s sidewalk as well as your own! Clearing the sidewalks (and the street crossings) of snow and ice can help to create a safer and friendlier environment for your neighbours so that everyone can access the outdoors safely, and experience your community.
3) CHOOSE THE STAIRS!
While it is great to get activity outdoors, an easy way to incorporate more physical activity into your life is to take the stairs. Choosing to use the stairs instead of an elevator/escalator is a quick way to be active, and stairs are usually abundant in most buildings including apartments, office buildings, and in our public areas. We recommend starting by adding 3-5 flights of stairs to your daily routine – see how it goes! You can also try to incorporate stair climbing into your work day for an ‘active break’. Physical activity experts estimate that climbing the stairs just 2 minutes a day can help prevent the average yearly weight gains seen in adults.
4) SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES WHILE EXERCISING!
With small businesses struggling more than ever, it is important that we continue to shop local when we can to keep our communities vibrant! Add your favourite nearby businesses to your walking, running or cycling route, and stop in on your way (while following physical distancing and masking guidelines when you need to visit these businesses providing essential services to you during the pandemic). Connecting with businesses within walking or cycling distance to your home is a win-win for your health and the health of our neighbourhood businesses!
5) GET ACTIVE OUTDOORS AND SPREAD SOME CHEER TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS!
Although most social outings and gatherings are limited right now, we can continue to be active outdoors and connect with our communities in safe and physically distanced ways outside. Try outdoor winter recreation activities like tobogganing and skating with your family to get outdoors and stay active. Make sure to keep a safe physical distance from others who might also be using outdoor rinks and hills – and keep up the community spirit by waving from a distance to your neighbours. Another fun way to spread some local cheer and stay active is by building a BIG snowman – rolling gigantic snowballs will definitely give you a good workout. Decorate your snowman with a friendly smile and some waving arms, and brighten up the community!
This year, more than ever, we are going to need to keep active and healthy safely to help reduce chronic diseases and the severity of COVID-19. Try out some of our suggested ideas and tips, and make sure to always check the latest COVID-19 information and guidelines from the Government of Alberta to stay safe.