Stay Active and SAFE in Asheville NC this Winter
The winter months are beginning here in Asheville NC. Unlike past years, winter will look a bit different due to social distancing guidelines put into place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Such recommendations include wearing face coverings, maintaining at least six feet of distance from others, regularly sanitizing your hands and avoiding group gatherings. With the holidays approaching, this might mean event cancellations or postponements, making it tricky to get out of your home and remain active this winter.
The pain management doctors in Asheville NC at The Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas often recommend regular, low-impact activity for anyone dealing with chronic pain as a piece of their pain management protocol. We have a few suggestions for having a fun AND safe winter. Read on!
Why Exercise Helps
Remaining at home is a safe way to limit your exposure to COVID-19, but there are a few things to consider about isolation:
You may find yourself settling into a sedentary routine. It’s common for people at home to sit in front on the TV or computer for long stretches of time. This can lead to loss of muscle strength, weight gain and worsening chronic pain symptoms. Just 30 minutes of low-impact exercise can help you avoid these health risks.
Quarantine can lead to a decline in mental health. Concerns over COVID-19 has caused many to face varying degrees of anxiety, depression and an overall feeling of fear. It’s also common for many to suffer from isolation or sadness due to a loss of social support. Exercise can help boost your mood—it releases endorphins to relieve pain and elevate your attitude.
Isolation can disrupt your sleep cycle. When you’re limiting your outdoor activity, you’re also limiting your body from absorbing vitamin D from the sunlight. This, along with lack of activity, can lead to problems falling asleep and staying asleep. Weekly exercise can help maintain a healthy sleep cycle!
Stay Active in Scenic Western North Carolina
One of Asheville’s most popular attraction is its breathtaking scenery. We are lucky to have mild winters with so much to see and do. On top of the weather, winter tends to be the least popular time of year for tourists—making is a great time to get out with fewer crowds!
Mountain Hikes: With refreshing temperatures and mountain views galore, there are a ton of winter hikes that are easy to reach from the city. A few of our favorite winter hikes include Moore Cove Falls trail, Bearwallow Mountain trail and Rattlesnake Lodge trail. Get details on all the hiking trails in Asheville right here.
Biltmore Estate: The Biltmore Estate is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. With over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, it’s a great place to explore! You can simply walk the gardens or tour the home at your own pace—it’s filled with holiday décor until January 9, 2020.
Explore Nearby Lakes: There’s something special about spending the day around the water. Even in winter, Asheville has a variety of lakes to walk or bike around. Some of our favorite lakes to visit in winter include Lake Lure, Fontana Lake, Beaver Lake and Lake James State Park! See more on Asheville-area lakes right here.
Walk in a New Neighborhood: One of the easiest outdoor activities is to walk around your neighborhood or explore a new one! Switch up your daily walk and check out neighborhoods in West Asheville, Historic Montford, Black Mountain, Waynesville, Enka or Kenilworth to name a few.
Discover a Museum: When it’s too chilly for outdoor activates, check out one of the many history-rich museums. The Thomas Wolf Memorial, Folk Art Center, Asheville Museum of Science or the New Asheville Art Museum are all good choices!
Pain Management Doctors in Asheville NC
We hope this list of actives gives you the motivation to stay active this winter! Before you head out of your home, we encourage you to be safe and follow all COVID-19 protocols. Our pain management doctors in Asheville NC and the surrounding area are here to help you on your journey to a healthy and happy lifestyle! Make an appointment with us to discuss your condition and custom treatment options.
Get in touch with us by calling 828-483-4438
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice, nor does reading or accessing this information create a patient-provider relationship. Comments that you post will be shared with all visitors to this page. All comments are not governed by HIPAA and you should not post any private health information.