As each day passes, predictably the temperatures begin to drop, and along with this you may begin to feel some discomfort and stiffness in your body. However, this is a normal process that the body goes through every year. When our body is subjected to cold temperatures, the first reaction is related to lifting our shoulders, rounding our back and tucking our chin in, in short, snuggling in.
In the cold months, the nervous system activates changes in the body that aid in thermoregulation of the body. Such a reaction is the so-called vasoconstriction, or it is a process in which the diameter of blood vessels is reduced and, accordingly, less blood flows through them. Through this reaction of the body, the blood circulating through the peripheral parts of the body is reduced, thereby reducing the release of body heat. With this, the body is able to maintain normal internal body heat, which is essential for the normal function of internal organs.
The human body has the ability to adapt to the environment it is placed in, over time with prolonged exposure to lower temperatures, muscles shorten and stiffen. Now imagine when this happens in muscles that are previously tight and stiff. It's no secret that a large percentage of people fail to maintain an optimal body position while working out, thus putting their spine and muscles under a great deal of stress that leads to tension and stiffness in these stressed parts. An option to address this problem is stretching, which helps relax the musculature.
Ambient temperature also plays an important role in how muscles work and more specifically how they contract. It is much harder for the musculature to contract in low temperature conditions. In general, the environmental temperature factor affects how easily oxygen is released from hemoglobin and what amount is delivered to the muscles. In cold conditions, oxygen is released significantly slower, which means that there is less oxygen available to the muscles and hence their contraction becomes more difficult. This is actually the reason that makes the body feel stiff. Oxygen supply is extremely important for optimal muscle work.
Regular stretching and maintaining good form and mobility contributes to good peripheral blood circulation. This fact in turn also leads to improved oxygen and nutrient delivery to the musculature.
Another way that we can help our bodies to work well is by incorporating some exercise. It is imperative to note, however, that you need to be warmed up before any physical activity as this reduces the risk of injury. A suitable warm-up is active stretching as well as simple body movements.
In conclusion, we at Okto want to encourage you to stay active even during the cold days ahead. And let us note again that it is very important to do a good warm-up beforehand. However, don't give in to the cold, and get moving to counter it.
