As a runner, one question I often get during the winter is, “Did you run in this?”

“This” meaning the cold and/or snow.

My answer is almost always “yes.”

Unless the temperature or snowfall are extreme—colder than 20 below or more than 10 inches of snow—I will do everything I can to brave the elements and get out for a run.

One reason for this is that running for me has long been a healthy habit. It is as automatic of a daily routine as brushing my teeth.

Another reason for this is that I am convinced that getting outdoors for some exercise is even more important for our health during the winter than it is during other times of the year.

Getting some fresh air and sunshine during the winter—when it’s dark and cold so much of the time and we spend so much of our time cooped up indoors– can go a long way in helping to prevent “cabin fever” and/or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

The cold months of the year can be challenging enough without having to deal with the winter blues, which is why it’s especially important to get some outdoor exercise even when it’s cold and snowy.