Disclosure: This post is sponsored and developed in part by Pfizer; however, the opinions are my own.
Are you a baby boomer who enjoys cold weather activities? There’s a magical quality to spending time outdoors on a snowy day. Whether it’s a quiet walk in some snowy woods or a thrilling hike along a trail, count me in as a boomer traveler who loves winter adventures.
As we age, it’s tempting to say, “I can’t do that anymore,” when it comes to downhill skiing, ice skating or hurtling down a hill in a sled. After all, who wants to break a hip or leg at our age?
But I haven’t given up frozen fun quite yet, and neither should you. There are plenty of winter adventures that boomers can do that aren’t so hard on our bodies. Below I share some of my favorites. I also have an important message about how to help protect yourself from certain diseases to ensure you can enjoy these activities.
Staying Healthy for Winter Adventures
My favorite winter adventures aren’t hard to do. But they require good health, which is why I stay up-to-date on vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help protect me against potentially serious diseases, like pneumococcal pneumonia.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious and, in some cases, potentially life-threatening illness that can strike at any time. Some of its physical effects can be felt for weeks, taking you out of your routine or in serious cases, landing you in the hospital. Talk about ruining a fun winter trip.
And, unfortunately, at my age, it can be more serious. Did you know that adults 65 or older are over 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia than adults 18-49? ¹‚²
If you’re 65 or older, talk to your doctor to determine if vaccination to help prevent this potentially serious disease is right for you.
Visit AllAboutYourBoom.com to find out more.
The health benefits of snowshoeing
If I could encourage you to try just one winter activity, it would be snowshoeing. You’ll get your heart pumping while experiencing being outdoors in nature—that’s two benefits for the price of one.
Snowshoeing isn’t complicated or expensive. All you need is a snowy climate plus a pair of snowshoes, poles, and warm clothing. If you’re visiting a winter resort, rent snowshoes and poles, then hit the trail. I guarantee you’ll be hooked on my favorite winter activity.
The ease of cross-country skiing
I’ve tried downhill skiing a few times. Hurtling down a steep hill is not for me—it’s scary, the equipment’s hard to put on and when I fall, I can’t get back up (let’s not even think about which bone I might break). And then there’s the expense of the entire ordeal.
Gliding along a cross-country skiing trail, on the other hand, is just my style. More of a workout than snowshoeing, the sport does require a bit of rhythm. I’ve got the hang of it, but Alan’s still working to master his kick and glide.
The beauty of winter hiking
Snow or no snow, winter hiking offers a beauty that I don’t notice during other times of the year. I love the way details stand out in the winter. Have you ever stood in the woods to marvel at tree trunks?
You’ll also see more on a winter hike because vegetation no longer hides the view. Look for smaller wildlife scurrying around for food or the lacy pattern of ice forming on a creek’s edge. I suggest bringing a camera or phone to snap pictures!
The exhilaration of horseback riding in the snow
Although I’m not an expert rider, going on a trail ride in the snow is one of my favorite travel memories. There’s something special about sitting on the back of a horse while enjoying a snowy day and a winter dude ranch stay is the perfect place to experience it.
PP-PNA-USA-3445-1 ©2018 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. December 2018
______________________________________
[1] Ramirez, J. Adults Hospitalized with Pneumonia in the United States: Incidence, Epidemiology and Mortality. Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 2017; 4: Figure 2.
2 Pfizer Data on File
Save to Pinterest
