Go outside (dressed appropriately)

Snow, cold temperatures, and wind chills may make you feel like staying inside. However, spending time outside is good for your health in many ways. Whether you are walking on a street with trees in the boulevard or visiting a park, exposure to nature is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Being outside can help your mood, vision, short-term memory, and reduce your risk of diseases such as diabetes.

This time of year, being prepared for the weather will improve your outdoor experience. On a walk around the lake yesterday, I was surprised at the number of people who did not seem to have dressed for the cold temperature. So, here are some tips. I hope they help you have more fun outside this winter.

Check the temperature and wind before you go out. Over time, you can learn what combination of outdoor gear is best for a given temperature range.

Most people do not have a huge, expedition-type parka. To improve the performance of your winter coat, add a layer. Try a wool sweater or fleece under your jacket or a windbreaker over it. Don’t forget your legs. Cotton and regular polyester are not very warm. Long underwear or rain pants with your regular pants will help keep you comfortable. Winter weight running pants are another option. They can be worn alone when it’s not too cold and paired with long underwear when the temperatures drop.

Invest in well-insulated gloves or mittens or use liner gloves. Hand warmers are another nice thing to have if you are going to be outside for a long time or are sensitive to cold. Accessorize with earmuffs or a hat, and a scarf. If you start to feel too warm, it’s easy to adjust by loosening your scarf or removing liner gloves.

Your feet need a bit of space to move around in your shoes or boots to stay warm. Therefore, super-thick socks may not be the best choice if they make your shoes feel tight. Regular wool socks and/or liner socks may be a better choice.  For traction on ice, shoes or boots with good tread are just a starting point. Consider ice or traction cleats in addition – these fit over the bottom of your shoes to prevent slips.

Since the days are shorter, wearing a blinking light or something reflective is good for added safety in the dusk or dark. Our neighborhood hardware store has had a clip-on, blinking LED light for about $5.