5 tips what you can do about it, without burning extra
Do you often suffer from tight or stiff muscles in winter? Then you are not the only one! Besides a dip in our mood, the cold weather also causes muscle aches and pains for many people. Especially now that energy bills have skyrocketed for many of us, we turn down the heating. Would you still like to keep your muscles warm this winter? Then we will give you 5 tips against stiff muscles, without heating up extra!
The cause of stiff muscles when cold
When it is cold, our nervous system causes our muscles to tighten to constrict the blood vessels in our body. This way, our body itself retains as much heat as possible to protect our organs. In the long run, this tension in the muscles can cause you to experience mild muscle pain or make the muscles feel stiff. The constriction of blood vessels also reduces blood flow in your muscles, making it harder for them to receive oxygen and remove waste products.
Tip 1: Wear warm clothes, even indoors
Both outside and inside the house, it is important to dress warmly. An extra thick jumper can help, but also definitely consider thermal clothing or underwear. Thermal clothing provides good sweat wicking, but more importantly, it forms a kind of layer between your skin and your normal clothing. This layer of 'stagnant air' provides an insulating effect and helps your body maintain its temperature.
Tip 2: Get moving
With cold weather, we tend to stay indoors and sit still a lot. Snuggled under a blanket on the sofa, for example. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and relaxation is very important for ourselves and our muscles. However, by sitting still a lot, your circulation may not be stimulated enough.
So keeping moving helps your body produce more heat. Take an extra walk, for example, or take your bike to work anyway. Not the sporty type? Even staying active indoors can help! Don't hang out on the sofa right after dinner, but wash the dishes, fold a load of laundry or hoover. This will also keep your house tidy; win-win!
Tip 3: Do exercises throughout the day
With some short warm-up exercises, you can quickly warm up your body and muscles. Do these warm-up exercises at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, or just whenever you feel cold. With these exercises, you will be warm within 3 minutes!
Tip 4: Massage against stiff muscles
A massage is good for circulation. It helps your muscles discharge waste products and keeps them supple. Choose, for instance, a massage oil with extract of the Arnica flower; it is known to stimulate circulation and soothe muscles. Are you already suffering from sore, stiff muscles? Then you can also use a warming muscle balm. It generally retains its effect longer than a massage oil and thus ensures that your muscles stay warm for a long time.
Tip 5: Keep your muscles warm with a cherry pit or hot water bottle
While sitting still, would you still like some extra warmth on your muscles? Then a cherry pit pillow or hot water bottle can come in handy. You can place them exactly on the muscles that bother you most. Bonus tip: they are also great for keeping your body warm in bed during cold winter nights!
Do you have any questions or want help with stiff muscles?
Can't get rid of your stiff muscles with our tips? Then our physiotherapists will be happy to help you! You can reach us at 085-5000333 or info@friskfysio.nl. You can also use the contact form on our website and we will contact you as soon as possible.
