Winter

It’s Okay if You Don’t Like the Cold Weather

Here are creative ways to stay active without leaving the house

Baby, it's cold outside. (Photo: Jill Wellington)

I never saw snow for the first 20 years of my life. In Ghana, it's basically summer all year long. That means one thing: I don't really enjoy the cold weather. Those who still live in Ghana and have never traveled outside of the country will never see snow. This makes seeing the snow for the first time a fun experience, but we quickly realize our bodies are not used to such freezing temperatures.

I know how important it is to go outside every day to get sunlight or take a walk, but if you dislike the cold weather or aren’t used to it, going outside can be a struggle. During the summer months, these things are very easy to do, but in the winter months, it’s a whole other story. Being stuck at home is hard (unless you're an introvert then it's great) but not being able to go out to exercise can make you feel you aren't doing enough.

Exercise has many benefits for the physical, mental, and emotional bodies including reducing stress levels, boosting your immune system, and making you feel and look good, but exercise doesn’t have to take the form of traditional exercise for it to be effective.