Safety in Winter When Running and Using Protection
Have you ever headed out on a pristine, wintry morning for a jog, only to feel sore and uncomfortable around your chest area? If this is something you have experienced, it can be enough to put you off running entirely. However, if you ask us, this shouldn’t have to be the case – after all, there’s more to running than just wearing the right clothes; ensuring you have suitable equipment is also crucial.
With this thought in mind, today, we’re looking at some of the key things you need to know about staying safe while running in the winter – and how using protection for your nipples can help.
Why is Running in the Winter More Dangerous Than at Other Times?
Many people find themselves wondering whether or not it’s safe to go running during the winter. Of course, winter running has an obvious benefit: it’s much cooler! As such, the chances of overheating or getting sunstroke are much lower. However, there’s another risk you’ll need to keep in mind: the increased chance of developing jogger’s nipple.
What is Jogger’s Nipple?
Jogger’s nipple is a simple but very unpleasant condition to experience. This unpleasant injury occurs when the fabric of your clothing rubs against the skin of your nipples – common during jogging, although it can potentially occur elsewhere too. With time, the friction can begin to hurt the skin of your nipples, causing cracks, tears, and cuts that are often very painful.
How Winter Weather Can Make Jogger’s Nipple Even More Common
Jogger’s nipple is a condition you can get year-round – however, it’s even more common in the winter! Indeed, when the weather turns cold, our nipples tend to stand up, which places even more pressure on them from our clothing than normal.
This often means that you’ll need to wear looser-fitting clothes in the winter to account for this – but that’s not exactly a nice experience when heading out in very cold weather when you want warm and snug clothes that will help keep you warm.
Fortunately, though, there is a way to overcome this issue. Water-resistant nipple shields can help keep your nipples in great condition, absorbing some of the friction from your clothes so that your nipples don’t have to cope with this extra pressure. In addition, try to moisturise your nipples regularly before and after running. This can reduce the risk of chafing against your clothes. It might sound like an odd option, but it can significantly soften the skin around your nipples!
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, heading out running during the winter months can be a refreshing experience. But, when the cold weather and friction from your clothes begin to rub at the skin of your nipples, that joy will often dissipate pretty quickly. However, if you ask us, this shouldn’t have to be the case, and there are plenty of ways you can enjoy a safe running experience, even when the weather goes cold. Ensuring you’ve got the right nipple covers in place initially is hugely helpful in this regard.