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Are you looking to feel stronger, happier and more confident?
Want to improve your physical fitness and mental well-being?
Skiing could be the answer. This winter sport has the ability to provide all the necessary benefits for women to reach that goal.
And here’s the best part…
You’ll have fun doing it.
Skiing is the only way to work every muscle in the body while getting a natural mood lift that few other activities can provide. According to ASICS’ Move Her Mind study, women who exercise regularly are 52% happier than when they are inactive.
As such, in order to build stronger bodies and boost mental health, women need to include more physical activity into their lifestyles. Those who want to experience deep snow conditions can shop the best powder skis to maximize their time on the mountain.
If you are one of those women, you are in the right place.
In this complete guide, we will tell you how skiing can help you improve both physically and mentally.
In this guide:
- The Physical Benefits Every Woman Should Know
- How Skiing Boosts Mental Wellness
- Building Strength Without The Gym
- Why Nature Makes A Difference
- Getting Started Safely
- Bringing It All Together
The Physical Benefits Every Woman Should Know
Skiing is a full-body workout that is disguised as pure fun.
While gliding through the slopes, the body works the muscles that are rarely used in everyday life. Constant squat position while skiing works the inner thighs, the outer thighs, hamstrings, quads and glutes at the same time.
However, that is not all…
Research from Chill Factore shows that one hour of skiing can burn over 350 calories in women. Thus, one full day on the slopes can help burn between 2,000 and 2,400 calories. Therefore, skiing should be seen as one of the most efficient calorie-burning activities that there is.
Cardiovascular benefits are nothing to sneeze at, either. Skiing pumps the heart and gets the blood flowing throughout the body. Thus, this aerobic workout can help you to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve heart health
- Increase endurance
- Improve oxygen circulation
And, because skiing is usually performed at high altitudes, the body is forced to work even harder. The thinner air at the mountain top forces the cardiovascular system to adapt to it in order to work in a more efficient way.
How Skiing Boosts Mental Wellness
The mental health benefits of skiing should not be overlooked.
Being surrounded by nature has an instant mood-lifting effect. Combined with fresh mountain air, stunning scenery and physical exertion, skiing helps release the feel-good chemicals known as endorphins. In their turn, endorphins help to lower stress and improve the general feeling of happiness.
Emma Kenny, a TV psychologist, explains the impact of skiing on mental health in the following way. She states that skiing can have a beneficial impact on all areas of life. Goal-setting on the slopes automatically results in a greater level of personal resilience which directly translates to the level of mental well-being.
Something else worth thinking about…
Skiing requires complete focus. There is no time to think about work deadlines or personal problems while one is trying to navigate down the mountain. This is a form of mindfulness that gives the brain the rest it needs from the everyday stress.
The social aspect of skiing should not be underestimated, either. Skiing trips are usually done in the company of friends and family members. Thus, shared experiences and connections contribute to better relationship and help to keep the feeling of isolation at bay.
Building Strength Without The Gym
It is time to forget about the boring gym sessions.
Skiing is a great opportunity to build functional strength that can easily be transferred to everyday life. The core is engaged throughout the entire run, which leads to stability and balance. This continuous core activation can help you to strengthen abdominal muscles and obliques with zero sit-ups required.
The same can be said about balance and coordination, which can improve dramatically with regular skiing. The body learns to react quickly to changing terrain, which will help to reduce the risk of injuries on and off the slopes.
Flexibility also gets a significant boost with regular skiing. The activity requires a wide range of motion in the hips, knees and ankles, which in its turn leads to increased flexibility and better joint health.
The best thing about building the strength through skiing is that…
The results will be achieved naturally. Women do not need to count reps or keep an eye on the clock. Every second they spend on the mountain helps to create a stronger and more capable body.
Why Nature Makes A Difference
Working out in the open has an element of magic about it.
Nature-based physical activity has been proven to provide unique mental health benefits. The combination of fresh air, natural light and scenic views creates a recipe for wellness.
It all starts with Vitamin D. The vast majority of women suffer from low levels of vitamin D during the winter months, which, combined with the lack of natural light, can lead to seasonal changes in mood and energy. Spending more time on the sunny slopes will help you to get rid of this seasonal impact.
Cold temperatures are also a positive factor for the majority of people who are trying to achieve their fitness goals. The body has to burn additional calories to stay warm, which creates a metabolic advantage in comparison with similar activities that are performed indoors.
The mountain environment also has something which gyms simply do not have. The sense of freedom and adventure that occurs while skiing creates positive emotions that will follow you long after you have returned home.
Getting Started Safely
Women who are about to start skiing should be mindful about the proper approach to the sport.
Taking lessons from the qualified instructors is the best way to build up confidence and prevent developing bad habits. At this point, it is worth noting that many ski resorts offer specific programs for women. They usually create a safe and supportive learning environment.
Getting the right equipment also makes a world of difference. Well-fitted boots and skis that are appropriate to your level will help to reduce the risk of injury and improve the overall performance. This is why it is worth it to invest in quality equipment as it will definitely pay off through better experiences on the mountain.
Women should make sure that they warm up properly before hitting the slopes. Doing some simple stretches that are focused on legs, hips and core will help prevent muscle strains and pulls.
Starting with easier runs can be a good decision as it allows the body to adapt to skiing gradually. In this situation, there is no need to rush to tackle more difficult terrain as building skills step by step will create a solid foundation for many years of enjoyment.
Bringing It All Together
Skiing is able to provide a range of benefits for women’s physical and mental health.
The combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength-building, and mental wellness makes skiing a complete fitness activity. Few other sports are able to provide such a comprehensive package at the same time being genuinely enjoyable.
It is time to recap all the key benefits that were discussed above.
- Full-body workout that will help you to burn serious calories
- Improved cardiovascular health and endurance
- Stronger core, legs and better balance
- Reduced stress and improved mood
- Vitamin D exposure and the ability to breath fresh air
- Social connections and shared experience
As such, while physical demands strengthen the body, the outdoor setting refreshes the mind. Women who regularly ski are more likely to report that they feel more energized, confident and happy.
Spending time skiing is not just an activity that you can do in order to have fun on the slopes. It is an investment in long-term health and happiness. In this regard, the impact of skiing does not end in the winter months only, creating a long-term impact on fitness, strength and mental resilience.
It is time for you to try it out yourself!
