It's hot as hell outside for three months out of the year.
They joys of living along where the jet stream dips in North America.
Eventually you just get used to it.
Cold sucks though, glad I left that lol
Even on humid, hot days with feels like 100 I can get out and bike pretty dang far at this point (non-electric 45 lb Citi Bikes here in NYC)
The downside is that I start sweating absolutely profusely basically the moment I step outside now :sob:
For context here though, much prefer the cold, and have never been a fan of the hot, humid, heat really unless I'm at the beach. But this year's been decent!
I am now sitting under a tree, after biking in 85 degree weather in July on the east coast. I’ve also biked in 90 and 95 degree weather.
And I don’t feel hot at all. Going outside might seem unpleasant, but once you’re out there, it’s not just fine, but refreshing
I don’t know exactly why, but it’s probably sweat, clothing, basic metabolism, and basic psychological facts (perception is often triggered by change)
Likewise, I bike in cold weather (all 12 months on the east coast). I think it is pretty established that this is both tolerable and healthy - ie it’s a mild version of the people who swim in freezing lakes in the dead of winter
And keep in mind I worked in an office my whole career, and have never competed in a single sporting event in my life (although I do like some sports)
Could it be that your experience doesn't apply to everyone?
I've been living in the same area as you, and I go for walks almost daily; it's astonishingly miserable out.
I have a friend who does almost identical physical activity to me, as we have similar jobs. He sweats very little when outside unless physically exerting himself. I sweat profusely when just walking; even when wearing significantly less clothing.
I think the main natural mechanism the body uses is endorphins..
In my experience it also benefits from training, coming on quicker at the start of a regularly strenuous lasting activity. When I started going on runs regularly I could clearly sense when the internal drug supply turned on and it became the point where I mentally marked transitioning from a short sprint to endurance mode.
I've also noticed when taking people on long hikes who don't usually do such things, if we take an extended break they usually start complaining of aches and pains and are suddenly wrecked. My assumption has been this is the endorphin supply shutting off, and it's a tough hump to overcome to get flowing again now that the pain/soreness/exhaustion has become realized. I suspect folks who aren't accustomed to getting out and active at all are kind of pre-trapped in that state and don't reach the endorphins flowing mode even once before going back indoors to play vidya.
Other than the overall health and wellness I got I normally associated with exercise, and improved breathing because of swimming, I felt immune to temperature discomfort! After a while, the routine itself didn't bother, nor walking 15 minutes from the parking lot to my office under 50C summer sun at noon. I could go out in winter in any clothes I want.
It was very noticable and very specific. Sensitivity to temperature itself may be a form of unfitness.
There's been other studies that showed just looking at nature can improve cognitive function and mental health, including house plants. I suspect, outside of the benefits of sunlight exposure, it's less about outside vs. inside and more being in/around greenery/plants.
If it can be done, it will be done and should be done.
There's already well-known studies showing that doing physical activity _before_ the school day starts, and then having the most challenging/cognition intense classes first, following the physical activity, boosts learning.
See the book Spark[1] to learn more.
manco•4h ago
Why did you drop "physical" from the title?
PaulHoule•3h ago