Physical Benefits of Shoveling Snow

Many consider snow shoveling a necessary evil. However, done with caution and preparation, shoveling can be a fun and simple exercise. As long as you're physically fit and don't take on too much of the white stuff at once, shoveling can be part of a healthy winter exercise routine. Regular exercise strengthens bones and muscle, combats illness, relieves stress, improves mood, assists in good sleep patterns and is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Calorie Burner

• A good activity during sometimes sedentary winter months, shoveling is a great calorie burner. A half-hour of moderate snow shoveling can burn more than 250 calories and help maintain weight during the holiday-heavy season.

Cardiovascular

• Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise is important for your heart and circulatory system. Any exercise that involves large muscle groups, like your legs, is beneficial to your heart and lungs and can help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol.

Muscle Development

• Bending, lifting, reaching and tossing with a weight of snow at the end of a shovel is good for muscle tone and development.

Vitamin D

• Depending on where you live and how much skin is exposed during your shoveling endeavor, you may be lucky enough to absorb a little of the winter-elusive UVB rays that help your body make Vitamin D.

Caution

• While snow shoveling can have health benefits, many people make the mistake of thinking of it only as necessary task and not as the strenuous exercise it is. Even healthy adults should exercise caution by stretching before and after shoveling, taking frequent breaks, staying hydrated and avoiding overexertion. And people with heart or other serious medical conditions should avoid the activity altogether.