How These Activities Can Improve Your Wellbeing
It's no secret that the government is taking a more active stance on getting healthy, and people everywhere are searching for ways to eat better and exercise more.
Gyms are bursting with new customers, and car drivers turn to walking as a healthier alternative to commuting.
However, what happens when you hate going to the gym or walking in the rain? Well, that's where skiing and snowboarding come in.
There's a good reason why skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular winter sports in the world. Not only do they provide a great way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and stunning scenery, but they also offer a host of health benefits that can improve your wellbeing.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the key health benefits of skiing and snowboarding and find out why these activities are so good for you.
You'll Burn More Calories
Calorie consumption is central to maintaining a healthy weight because the more calories you consume, the harder you need to exercise. If you don't get enough exercise, your body will store the excess fat, which results in weight gain.
Did you know that skiing burns around 400 calories per hour? It's a great way to get your heart pumping in a fun way. Many people don't exercise because they don't find it enjoyable, but if you're doing an exhilarating activity, you're more likely to stick to it.
They Strengthen Your Muscles
Skiing and snowboarding are excellent exercises for your legs, as they give them a thorough workout.
Your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves are all put to use when you're skiing or snowboarding.
In addition to this, these activities also work your abdominal muscles and improve your posture and balance.
If you've ever been skiing or snowboarding before, you'll know how important it is to maintain good posture while doing these activities.
They Boost Your Cardiovascular Health
When you ski, or snowboard, your heart rate increases, and you start to breathe more deeply. This helps increase the amount of oxygen in your blood, which is excellent for your cardiovascular system.
In fact, skiing can be just as effective as running in improving cardiovascular health.
They Improve Your Mental Health
Skiing and snowboarding are great for your mental health, as they help relieve stress and anxiety. Being in the fresh air and surrounded by beautiful scenery can do wonders for your mental wellbeing.
In addition to this, exercise also improves sleep quality and increases energy levels.
Any activity releases endorphins, but if you do something you enjoy, you're more likely to continue and boost your mental health in the long term.
A Better Social Life
When you ski or snowboard, you'll meet new people and make friends. These activities are social by nature, as you're often doing them with other people.
It's a great way to expand your social circle, and many people go on regular ski holidays, where they meet up with their friends.
You can even join a club or group if you want to take things further, and your children will have an opportunity to make friends from diverse backgrounds.
Better Balance & Coordination
You need to have good balance and coordination to ski or snowboard effectively. These activities help improve your proprioception, which is your ability to sense the position of your body in space.
Snowboarding particularly requires a lot of balance and attention to detail, but once you master it, you can transfer the skill to other areas of your life.
It Builds Confidence and Self Esteem
Skiing and snowboarding can be challenging, but once you master them, they're extremely rewarding. The sense of achievement you get from learning a new skill and becoming competent at it can do wonders for your confidence.
These activities also teach you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and try new things. When you try new things, you're more likely to seize opportunities and inject positivity into your life.
Better Family Relationships
Skiing and snowboarding are great activities to do as a family. You can bond with your children while teaching them a new skill, and you'll also have plenty of opportunities to spend quality time together.
According to a survey by Johns Hopkins Medicine, only 79% of children said they felt close to their parents - and these numbers dropped even further with older children.
It's no secret that emotional wellbeing is almost as important as physical health now, and family relationships can make a big difference in a person's overall happiness.
Family holidays are often more enjoyable when there's an activity to participate in, and skiing or snowboarding is the perfect option.
Is Skiing Or Snowboarding Better?
There's no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on what you're looking for. If you want a workout, skiing is probably the better option.
Skiing relies on your arms and legs, while snowboarding is a bit more relaxed, as you don't need to use your arms as much.
However, snowboarding might be the better option for a mental health boost because it's more creative, as you need to think about the best way to get down the slope.
Snowboarding requires more balance and coordination, so if you're looking to improve these skills, snowboarding is the way to go.
Both activities offer plenty of health benefits, so it really comes down to personal preference. Whichever one you choose, you're sure to enjoy yourself and reap the rewards.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons to take up skiing or snowboarding. These activities offer a range of health benefits that can improve your wellbeing in different ways.
Better still, there are plenty of centres in the UK where you can take lessons and prepare yourself for the Swiss Alps or that dream holiday to France.
Whether you choose skiing or snowboarding, you can guarantee that the physical and mental benefits will be well worth the lessons. Plus, you can say goodbye to the gym forever!
