Tips for Keeping Warm While Playing Sports in the Winter

You’re a dedicated athlete who will play no matter the temperature or the weather. As the winter season arrives, the cold temperatures will affect you and how you play your sport.

Heavy clothing can make you feel like you’re not playing to the best of your ability. However, when cold temperatures occur, your safety is the top priority. Here are some tips for keeping warm while playing sports in the winter.

Warm Clothing Layers

The cold temperatures make your body ache and feel stiff. Beneath your uniform, you need to wear warm base layer clothing to keep your body warm. This includes leggings, long johns, and wool socks. Start out with one layer but bring more layers with you to add on as needed. If you get too warm or cold, you have several base layers of clothing to add or remove as the game progresses.

Headgear

The fastest way to lose body heat in cold temperatures is through the hands and head. Many people remember to wear gloves when playing sports outdoors in the cold, but they forget that they need to wear warm headgear for the winter. Your face sweats when exerting energy; that means that your body is cooling off and losing heat the more you move. Remember to wear some sort of hat and earmuffs to keep your body temperature at a healthy level.

Hand Warmers

If you ever have a time when you’re sitting on the bench, hand warmers are a lifesaver! They provide extra heat whenever you need it, making them great whenever you aren’t on the field playing and want to stay warm.

One trick is to keep a hand warmer in your back pocket while you’re on the field. Whenever the chance arises, warm up your hands to loosen up your fingers so that you’re ready for the next play.

Eyewear

Protective eyewear is important for any sport. Cold temperatures and wind can dry out your eyes and blur your vision. So sports goggles will help protect more of your face and keep it warm. If it’s snowy outside, sunglasses are essential to avoid snow blindness. The bright, white light can harm the eyes, so remember to have eyewear that protects from UV rays.

Stay Hydrated

It’s not all about what you wear; it’s also about how much water you’re drinking. Staying hydrated is always necessary when playing sports outside. You might not feel the exhaustion as you would in the hot summertime, but your body feels the effect of exerting energy. Drink water in small increments to stay hydrated.

It doesn’t matter which sport you play; you need to protect yourself from the cold temperatures you face in the winter. With these tips for keeping warm while playing sports in the winter, you’ll be ready to play your best and stay warm this season!

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