Getting ‘physically’ prepared for the winter months

Never let your age get in the way of having some fun in winter, particularly if you have experience with winter sports. You may just need a little extra preparation and some time to get your body ready for the challenges ahead. So whether you enjoy hiking or snow skiing, a few simple tips and tricks can have you ready to go and minimize your stress and injury risk.

Hiking in winter can be magical, but slippery conditions can also increase the risks. A simple addition to your gear is the right layers of clothing and a set of hiking poles, both of which will keep you comfortable and add an extra layer of safety.

When conditions are cold and slippery a set of poles will make all the difference. They simply allow you to have additional balance points and also impact your centre of gravity to increase your stability.

Increasing your gear and accessories will go a long way to keeping you out on the trails during winter. Outdoor activities in the colder months are often avoided due to increased risks, but there is simply no reason to avoid exercise in winter. You may even feel inspired to try something new, maybe join a group or recruit some friends to join you on your adventures.

When it comes to snow skiing some extra physical preparation will definitely help keep you safe. Ensuring that you maintain good overall body strength with targeted exercises for your legs and core will increase your longevity on the slopes.

It’s also really important to keep a good level of fitness up all year round because the physical demands of winter sports are increased due to the temperatures, terrain and altitude.

Updating your ski gear can also enhance your enjoyment. Even if you have a favourite snow jacket that you have worn for years the technology in fabrics has greatly improved so investing in a new item can increase your warmth and comfort. This will also help keep your energy levels up because you will lose less body heat to the environment, giving you more energy for activities.

Maintaining your overall health and fitness will ensure you can keep participating in the activities that you enjoy in your senior years. Maintaining the key pillars of wellbeing, including exercise, nutrition, hydration, sleep and your mental health are all essential. These five pillars are all intertwined to maintain good health, and research is clearly showing that keeping them all in balance requires an individual approach.

If you are struggling with any of these factors it’s a great idea to seek out professional help. Making some minor modifications to your daily habits can deliver some big results. Maintain your strength and fitness, watch your food intake, stay hydrated, get enough quality sleep and be mindful of your mental health.

So if you need help or support in any of these areas be brave enough to ask for it. Staying silent will only increase your frustration and reduce your enjoyment of life. Most importantly, always remember to have some fun!

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.