How to Safely Walk in the Cold

Learning how to safely walk in the cold will help you avoid cold-related ailments and make your workout much more enjoyable.

First of all, use caution when the temperature drops and the wind kicks up. Remember to dress in layers, wear a hat or other head covering, and cover as much exposed skin as possible.

To avoid becoming overly fatigued, stop and take rest breaks as needed. Be prepared for emergencies. And avoid drinking alcohol because it can contribute to dehydration and impair your judgment.

The Windchill Index tells you how cold it feels when both temperature (as shown on a thermometer) and wind speed are taken into account.

For example, a ther­mo­meter reading of 30 de­grees Fahrenheit combined with a 25 mile-per-hour wind is equiv­alent to a temperature of zero when the wind is calm. You can find out temperature, wind speed, and usually windchill factor from local weather forecasts.

To find out how to dress for cold-weather walks, see the next section.

To learn more about walking, see:

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.