While January and February may be cold and icy, there are still ways for you to safe during cold weather workouts outside. In fact, a lot of experts believe that getting outside and doing exercise in January can beat depression and help with winter blues. Glenett Barrett, a Nurse with OSF in Urbana says that working out outside has many benefits.

Barrett says you should only go out if you are an experienced outside runner or if the roads are completely clear.

Barrett says while stretching before a workout is always important, don’t forget to stretch before you do another big winter task—shoveling snow.

For more information on winter safety with workouts contact your primary physician.