Few vacations feel as liberating as a ski vacation. From the rush of snow you leave behind to the feeling that you’re away from the noise of the city, a ski vacation can recharge your batteries and help you destress after months of hard work. Skiing is incredibly fun, exciting, and even if you’re not particularly outdoorsy, it can be easy to learn. But did you know that skiing is also one of the best forms of exercise for your heart, according to science?
Like swimming, skiing doesn’t feel too intense when you’re doing it. It’s only afterward that you realize you did a full-body workout, and this has tremendous benefits for your health. So, if you planned on going skiing in Hakuba this year, you’re in for much more than family fun.
Skiing has the same positive cardiovascular benefits as rowing and cycling.
According to a study conducted at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, skiing offers the same benefits for heart health as rowing and cycle – and it can push your heart rate even higher if you’re a pro. By getting your heart rate up, skiing fights arterial stiffness, which is one of the causes behind heart disease and degenerative brain diseases.
Skiing is a fun form of interval training.
Interval training is one of the most popular types of workouts these days, but there’s more to it than hype. According to scientists, interval training, meaning periods of intense effort followed by a leisurely pace, boost heart resilience, and can even extend your life. You may not realize it on the slopes, but skiing is actually a complex exercise that works your lower body in unique ways. In a gym, a similar kind of exercise would be hard to replicate. Plus, you’re doing it outdoors, in the cold, which means you’re getting extra fat-burning benefits. According to other studies, skiing may boost your metabolism too, strengthening your body’s defenses against bacteria and viruses.
Skiing boosts your mental health.
If you’ve been skiing before, you’re familiar with the happy mood and great sleep that follow after. Well, these are very important for your heart. Spending a few days on a ski Japan vacation, surrounded by breathtaking natural sights, helps you regain the connection with nature, boosts your wellbeing, and reduces stress. Even though stress might not sound like a major health risk, it can have devastating effects. Over the years, numerous studies have shown that prolonged stress can lead to blood clots and trigger chemical reactions inside the body that may increase the risk of heart disease down the line. Going on vacations, spending more time in nature, and being physically active are three scientifically proven ways to reduce and manage stress, and skiing offers all of them. So, if things have been hectic lately and you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, a few days in an idyllic ski destination such as Japan’s Hakuba Valley can do wonders for your mental health.
