Asthma Sufferers: Exercise Indoors

When you have asthma, it’s a good idea to work out inside if the weather turns cold. People tend to breathe through their mouth during vigorous activity. When chilly, dry air goes into the airways without first warming up in the nose, it can worsen asthma symptoms.

Here’s how you can avoid flare-ups and stay active this winter:

• Walk at the mall. Put on your walking shoes and do laps, and take the stairs instead of the escalator.
• Go swimming. Many communities have an indoor pool where you can swim laps all year long.
• Sign up for a class. If you have always wanted to learn yoga, salsa dancing, or a martial art, now is the time to give it a try.
• Invest in fitness. Buying a gym membership or a home treadmill or exercise bike can give you a convenient way to work out inside.
• Get off the couch. Lift weights or stretch while watching your favorite TV show, or work up a sweat with an exercise DVD or video.
• Turn housework into a workout. For example, if your vacuum cleaner has a self-propel option, turn it off.

Exercise helps both your physical and emotional health. By adjusting your cold-weather workouts, you can continue to increase those benefits no matter what the temperature is outdoors.