As winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, there are those who are not excited about the coming colder, shorter, darker, and snowy days that lie ahead!
For some, winter is just a chilly, uncomfortable, and challenging headache - a time to hibernate indoors till the discomfort passes and the longer, milder days of spring return. But for others, winter is awesome – it’s the chance to get outside in brisk weather to experience the thrill of snowboarding and skiing and to partake in some intense play in the white dirt!
If you need some motivation to enjoy the winter more, let me present 9 key health benefits (and depending on your perspective, there are likely more) that come from snowboarding and skiing!
1) Anaerobic exercise – means “without oxygen” so your body uses glucose instead of oxygen to power muscles. Snowboarding and skiing provide for short bursts of intense physical activity which leads to a more fit and stronger body with better muscle mass.
2) Aerobic & cardiovascular fitness – conversely, aerobic means “with oxygen” so while you’re riding your heart rate is elevated, the blood really gets flowing, and you burn calories, especially while taking on steep runs, deep powder, and mogul fields.
3) Whole body workout – when boarding or skiing, in addition to the obvious use of lower body muscles and joints, you use your core (midsection & abdominals) and other muscles in your neck, back, shoulders, and arms to provide stability and balance and to power your riding. All this interactive muscular exertion leads to a full body workout.
4) Fresh air for the lungs – taking in natural, fresh, clean, and circulating air whenever you can is healthier than just routinely breathing in stagnant, stale, recycled, and contained indoor air (often has contaminants and allergens). Plus, adventures in the fresh air are good for the soul!
5) Brain health – here are some cognitive/neurological benefits of snowboarding & skiing: *Active coordination is the use of quick decision-making, spatial awareness, and real-time coordination that fires up key parts of the brain more frequently *Increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain fosters neuroplasticity and growth of nerve cells *Endorphins, dopamine, and other neurochemicals are released from your brain to help soothe pain and stress and create feelings of accomplishment or euphoria *Flow state which stems from having to read changing terrain and snow conditions, movement, and speed – leads the brain into a focused, flowing, and meditative state which aids in reducing cortisol levels.
One long-term European study indicates there is a significant reduction in risk/rates of vascular dementia, depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease among active snowboarders and skiers!
6) Connect with nature and other humans – unplugging from digital devices and social media to give your brain and body a break from these systems is highly advantageous to your health. Doing cool outdoor activities in a rugged and beautiful setting can form a primal and powerful connection with nature. Having meaningful social bonding and communicative experiences with other people on the mountain is truly healthy & beneficial.
7) Emotional & psychological health – are positively impacted by good brain health, feeling a genuine connection with nature and people, and engaging in a dynamic activity and/or lifestyle you enjoy. The sublime elements of snowboarding and skiing inherently foster good emotional and psychological health!
8) Improved sleep – the flood of dopamine during an exciting day on the slopes helps regulate the human body clock and boosts melatonin production for better quality sleep later. Active riding prevents cortisol from disrupting the natural sleep-wake cycle, helping you fall asleep and stay asleep.
9) Better bone density/bone strength – because of the consistent, intense mechanical forces that are put on the bodies of active skiers and snowboarders, they tend to have higher bone densities and more bone strength. The development of powerful leg muscles in particular forces bones to adapt and grow stronger in response.
Beyond these potent and important health benefits, snowboarding and skiing are just a whole lot of fun! So, get out there this winter and Experience the Ride and enjoy yourself while being healthy!
***Disclaimer - I am not a medical doctor and none of the above is to be considered professional medical or health advice!