Effects Of Climate Change: How Climate
Change Can Effect The Way We Exercise
Regardless of whether you believe human activity is
causing climate change, its hard to dispute the fact that
the environment is changing around us. Longer, hotter
heat waves, more frequent rain and other weather events
are affecting our lives and making it more difficult to
exercise. This is changing our lifestyle making us more
prone to sedentary activities leading to increases in
obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
What are the effects of climate change?
According to Psychiatry.org in its extreme - “Climate
change and related disasters cause anxiety-related
responses as well as chronic and severe mental health
disorders”. This can be very disruptive to our lives. But a
regular workout regime can reduce stress and improve
your mental health.
Based on a 2017 Harvard University study, “…both cold
and acutely hot temperatures, as well as precipitation
days, reduce physical activity…Our projections indicates
that warming over the course of this century may
increase net recreational physical activity in the United
States. Activity may increase most during the winter in
northern states and decline most during the summer in
southern states”.
Tips on getting your exercise in
1.
If you are working out in the great outdoors, make
sure you stay hydrated and carry water with you.
Avoid single use plastics that you discard along your
hike, run or bike ride. Instead use a reusable one that
you can attach to your bike or belt.
2.
There are now many indoor exercise options. If you
want to be Eco-friendly, avoid ones that require a lot
of electricity (such as a treadmill or bike). Instead,
there are many weight bearing exercises that you can
do, including:
a.
High-impact weight bearing exercises:
Activities such as skipping, jumping ropes,
aerobics, Zumba, hiking, jogging, playing tennis
and dancing all force a person’s body to work
against gravity.
b.
Low-impact weight bearing exercises: If you
have problems with your knees or back, low
impact weight bearing exercises can do the trick.
These include low-impact aerobics, brisk
walking and hiking.
c.
Resistance exercises: These exercises involve
lifting weights against gravity and are most often
done using dumbbells, kettlebells or weights.
Focusing on more repetitions rather than heavier
weights will lead to stronger bones and muscles.
d.
Aerobic Exercises: Aerobics, such as
swimming, cycling walking and rowing can lead
to better heart health and weight loss.
3.
Change your commute to school or work while also
helping the environment - break out the bicycle
instead of taking the bus, or exchange the car for a
walk to work.
Whatever you do - make it a regular part of your
routine, exercising several times a week. Have fun
with it and while you are taking care of yourself,
take good care of the environment around you.