The good news about Daylight Savings Time is that we all received an extra hour of sleep! The bad news, however, is that this earlier darkness (it’s nearly pitch black after work at 5:00 p.m.!) has really put a damper on my fitness routine.
Taking a brisk walk after work is one of my simple pleasures and I don’t want to give it up this winter. I found an interesting article on Active.com that provided me with tips on how to stay safe while exercising in the dark and I wanted to share them with my readers.
Move on the correct side of traffic. My father always used to tell me, “Stay on the left and not on the right and all the cars will be in sight”. If you are running or walking, staying on the left side of the road will provide you with the ability to see all oncoming traffic. If you choose to bike, however, you should ride with traffic on the right hand side of the road.
Make yourself seen. Even if you can see cars, they cannot always see you when it’s dark out. Help them be aware of you by wearing reflective clothing. You can even purchase a light to wear on your head. Stores like Gander Mountain or LL Bean carry several different styles and prices to choose from. Not only will this light get you noticed but it will also help light your path so you won’t trip. Also, save your black and navy active wear for the gym, in the dark you should opt for white or other light colors that will make you seen in the dark.
Leave a note. Before you go out for a walk, run, or bike leave a note or message with someone telling them when you left, the route you were taking, and the time you expect to be back. If you were to trip or fall and hurt yourself it would be important for someone to know where you were.
Get some traction. If you live in an area where snow and ice cover the ground, consider wearing “Yak Trax” on your athletic shoes. These slip on over boots or shoes and provide traction perfect for slippery conditions.
Hopefully some of these tips can help you stay active this winter. Does the earlier sunset have an effect on your fitness routine? What are some ways that keep you fit and safe in the dark?