Exercise Safety Tips For Your Winter Workout

With yesterday’s delicious Thanksgiving feasts behind us and the Holiday shopping season in full swing, it can be a challenge to find time to exercise.

We spoke earlier this week about tips on getting back into an exercise routine. 

Today, we would like to provide some suggestions from the National Institute or Health for ways to stay safe while you try out your new exercise routine:

• Do a little light activity, such as easy walking, before and after your endurance activities to warm up and cool down.

• Drink liquids when doing any activity that makes you sweat.

• Dress appropriately for the heat and cold. Dress in layers if you're outdoors so you can add or remove clothes as needed.

• When you're out walking, watch out for low-hanging branches and uneven sidewalks.

• Walk during the day or in well-lit areas at night, and be aware of your surroundings.

• To prevent injuries, use safety equipment such as helmets for biking.

• Endurance activities should not make you breathe so hard that you can't talk and should not cause dizziness or chest pain.

For more information on the health benefits of exercise and suggested exercises be sure to check out the NIH Senior Health Exercise Health Topic.