Whether you can’t stand exercise or are a dedicated enthusiast, it can be tough to get motivated to move anything when it’s cold outside and there are fewer daylight hours. Similar to bears, humans would just rather hibernate on the couch throughout the winter instead of keeping up with an active routine.
Unfortunately, avoiding any activity at all for months at a time isn’t healthy. If you want to stay active and in shape during the winter, there are ways you can accomplish this. Here are a few winter exercise tips to help you get past that lack of motivation and even fight off potential seasonal depression.
1. Find Your Exercise Buddies
When you exercise alone, you are your sole source of motivation. It can be easy to convince yourself that it’s ok to skip a day (or a week) because it’s “too cold.” But, when you have a group (even a virtual one), you’ll be more likely to participate, offering encouragement and support to each other as you focus on and reach your goals.
2. Set Achievable Goals
Speaking of goals, set some simple ones so that you can feel a sense of achievement when you take baby steps. One example is to just show up at your gym or in your home exercise room five days a week. Even if you complete a short workout, you achieved that goal.
3. Exercise During Your Lunch Break
Winter workouts don’t have to be hours-long commitments. And it can be tough to get motivated to exercise in the dark in the morning or after work. Instead, use your lunch break to take a brisk walk, attend a yoga class, or get in a short workout at the gym.
4. Plan Your Activities Carefully
If you plan to exercise outside during the wintertime, plan your activities carefully. Watch your local weather so that you don’t get surprised by extreme or dangerous conditions. Have the right attire ready so that you remain safe and protected from the elements.
5. Focus on the Emotional Benefits
If your only goals are to build muscle or lose weight, you might get frustrated if you don’t see immediate results. Those will come in time. But, instead focus on the mental health benefits of exercise, which you will likely feel immediately. These include feeling more relaxed and having higher energy levels.
6. Trick Your Body & Mind
Deception works, even when we know what’s going on. Wear your exercise clothes for inspiration. Set an “exercise alarm” on your phone with some upbeat music. Another good “trick” is to raise your home’s thermostat in the morning so that it warm enough to get you motivated for some movement.
No one is excited about the cold weather, but these tips should help you keep in shape as the temperatures drop. MedTrust cares about the health and wellbeing of its clients. As one of the fastest-growing companies in South Carolina, our goal is to improve patient outcomes through excellence in mobile healthcare.
Contact us today to learn more about our mobile healthcare services throughout South Carolina and North Florida or to find out how you can become a member of our team.