Daily Herald editorial: Don’t let the cold scare you. Get outside, move your body and soothe your mind.
We’ve been in a deep freeze for the last few days, but before that, when was the last time you were outside?
Not just for a quick run to the mailbox or to take out the trash. We mean like really outside for an extended amount of time, breathing in fresh air and moving your body.
With all the snow, and then the dangerous cold snap, yes, we’ve been told to limit time outdoors.
But with the temperatures rising over the next few days and into next week, there’s no excuse – bundle up and get out there.
Experts say being outside, even during the winter, is beneficial in so many ways.
And there are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors, even in the cold.
Sure, you gotta bundle up, but we bet you have all the gear to do so. Hats, gloves, scarves, boots and plenty of warm layers will do the trick.
If you’ve lived in the Chicago area long enough, you’ve probably heard the expression, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.” And we’re here to tell you it’s true!
Yes, it takes more work to gear up and head out the door. It’s not as easy as when it’s 70 and sunny, but we promise, the effort will be worth it, for your mental and physical fitness.
Our environmental writer Jenny Whidden talked to Claudia Gunter, a conservation and experiential programming aid for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, for her recent story about the plethora of outdoor activities available in the suburbs.
“It just helps to beat those winter blues,” Gunter told her. “I tell people it reduces stress, it puts you in a better mood, and the physical activity kicks in those endorphins. There's health — physical and mental — attributes to being outside.”
And if the sun is shining, even better! Take a walk around the neighborhood for a dose of vitamin D. Not only is it good for your immune system, it can help fight off seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a form of major depressive disorder that can hit during the dark winter months.
If you’re more adventurous, we encourage you to try some winter sports. Whidden also talked to local experts about cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating, all of which are great exercises to get your heart pumping and blood flowing. We bet you won’t even feel the chill in the air once you get moving.
If you have kids or grandkids, build a snowman together or join them for sledding. Even a walk through the Morton Arboretum or your local forest preserve can be peaceful, beautiful and just enough to clear your mind and provide a dose of fresh air.
Give it a try. Start with a short walk and see how you feel. Then try for two days in a row, maybe three. You might find the winter sights and sounds tranquil and calming. We hope you feel more relaxed, happy and at peace when you get home. The endorphins have kicked in, your senses are heightened, the sunlight has hit your face and your body has moved. Just what the doctor ordered to fight off illness and feel better this winter.
And our final suggestion? Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows and drink a toast to doing something good for yourself in the new year.