Snow- To go out or Not?

Obviously everyone needs to consider their health history, and use discretion based on the severity of the cold outside, but is it better for you to actually go outside in the snow or not?

Many of us do not have the option, as they need to shovel their car and driveway to be able to get to where there needs to be, but should you make an effort to go outside?

If you have no health history of cardiac issues, respiratory issues, musculoskeletal, immune, or other compromising issues -----and as long as the temperature is tolerable, you're bundled up, and you don't overextend your time outside - what benefits can the cold weather bring you?

Benefiting the Heart and Circulatory System

When you go outside, starting from the area that is exposed to the heat (skin) the body starts to vasoconstrict the blood vessels of that area. Which is a fancy way of saying that the vessels squeeze tighter so that the blood doesn't flow as easily there.

At first thought, it may seem counterintuitive. If the skin is exposed to the cold, wouldn't you want the area that is exposed to get more blood so you can warm it up more? While that logic may make sense, the body actually starts prioritizing what's most important for survival. So it thinks- I can survive with my fingers and toes freezing off- but won't survive without my organs (heart, liver, lung, etc.) functioning properly. So the body focuses on keeping those areas most protected and warm.

Does this actually sound like it's worse for your body since it's going into crisis mode? Worse or better starts depending on your health condition. If you have existing heart issues- the strain on the heart may be too great, and lead to more damage or worse. However, if you have a strong and healthy heart- it's almost like being able to get the benefits of exercise without exerting yourself too much. The heart will pump harder, and work harder just by being in the cold for a little bit. This will give the heart a good workout, and with consistent exposure- your heart may get stronger and be able to tolerate physical exercise better and raise some stamina.

When you go back inside after the cold exposure- many times you may feel a rush of heat going into exposed areas. Fingers tingly and warm, cheeks bright red. This is the blood vessels releasing the 'squeeze.' The body realizes that there is no need to prioritize and it can "let go," causing a rush of blood to the areas that were restricted blood flow.

Exercise

As mentioned above, just going outside increases your energy expenditure due to the body trying to heat itself up. Going outside and moving will help lose more calories (especially if you're bundled up with 20lbs of snow gear), and will help build stamina and burn some calories. On top of that there have been studies that show the cold exposure helped promote the uptake of glucose and helps regulating sugars in type 2 diabetes. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25056438/)

The amount of snow gear, all jokes aside, can also help in creating resistance for the muscles, and small movements that usually require little effort and calories burned can be increased dramatically.

Again this all comes with the disclaimer of not overdoing things. Making it a routine in small increments at a time is the best way to go. Taking a brisk walk on a cold winter day for 10mins everyday can be a simple way to start.

(Disclaimer- I do not recommending eating snow as pictured, however I did think it was a good example of cold immersion.)

So we come back to the question? To go out or not in the snow? Again I must end with an unsatisfying answer of it being a case by case. If there are any known physical or medical contraindication refrain from it until consulting a professional for your specific case. However, if there are not restrictions, going outside in the cold in short increments at a time can help in increasing your heart capacity, helping you exercise, burn calories, and many more. Take advantage here in CT, where we get to enjoy weather and free cold air. Stay bundled, don't stay out too long, keep hydrated (we lose a lot of water breathing in the cold air), and try to have some fun building snow forts!