A recent article from The Seattle Times shares the story of how a writer who used to ardently avoid winter sports successfully overcame her Raynaud’s challenges and learned to ski. The writer, Nicole Tsong, had always been intimidated by skiing and the cold winter weather that comes with it. But inspired to challenge her intimidation for winter outdoor activities and wanting to master a new skill , she decided to face her fears and hit the slopes.
One piece of luck, Tsong’s instructor on her first outing, was sensitive to her issues and throughout her lesson offered tips on how to stay warm and dry in a variety of weather conditions. Keeping comfortable in the cold was key to being able to focus her mind on mastering the required skills vs. how to stay warm.
Here are some of the strategies that helped Tsong overcome the cold:
- Bundle Up in Layers, Use Warmers and Keep the Circulation Moving – She read up on tips from physician and nutritionist Dr. Naheed Ali on the benefits of woolen layers to retain insulation combined with outer layers to block the wind. His suggestions also included hand and foot warmers, staying hydrated and fed to improve circulation, plus range-of-motion exercises to keep fingers nimble in the cold.
- Establish a Warm-up Routine and Keep Your Core Warm – Tsong received several tips from a fellow ski-enthusiast Frostie: Start with warm-up exercises to get the blood moving (squats, pushups), make sure you’re warm before leaving the car (blast the heat, hold a warm cup coffee), keep the core warm with multiple layers to trap body warmth (they can always be shed if overheated).
- Be Selective When It Comes to the Weather – Take advantage of milder, sunny conditions and opt out on more frigid days.
Note: No matter how “hot” she would get on the warmest days, Tsong had a hard fast rule never to remove her gloves, as she feared her fingers would go numb without proper protection.
Reflecting on her experience, the author realizes that her initial fear of skiing was largely unfounded. She discovered a newfound love for the sport and the sense of freedom that comes with gliding down the slopes. She also found that skiing allowed her to challenge herself both physically and mentally, pushing her out of her comfort zone and helping her grow as a person.
Tsong’s story serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new and conquer your fears. By facing her apprehensions head-on, finding strategies that allowed her to overcome any physical challenges, and stepping outside of her comfort zone, she was able to discover a passion for winter sports that she never knew existed. So next time you find yourself hesitating to try something new, remember Nicole Tsong’s story and take that leap of faith – you never know what amazing experiences await you on the other side.
