How to Stay Motivated in Winter
By Sara Butler
When it’s cold and dark outside it can be difficult to find the motivation to leave your snuggly place in bed or on the couch to exercise. It could be argued that makes it even more important to do! Winter brings with it a natural decline in serotonin and Vitamin D levels, which can make it even harder to find motivation to exercise. Here are a few ways you can try to overcome the winter workout hump and stay healthy this winter!
Start a Timer
Getting out from underneath your warm blankets can be tough in the winter, which is why putting your thermostat on a timer is a great way to work around it. If it’s toasty outside of your bed too, then it will be easier to get up and get going. Set it to start getting warmer about an hour before you’re set to wake up so you can resist the urge to snooze and snuggle.
Go Outside Anyway
It might be cold out, but you need to force yourself to get out there. Nature, no matter the season, is good for you physical and mental health and wellness. It helps you to keep your energy levels up and that will help you stick to your winter workout plans better. Just make sure you’re dressed right to protect yourself from the elements!
Add Something New to Your List
Winter is all about new opportunities – or at least that’s how you should look at it. Take a break from your regular workout plans and try new activities to keep yourself engaged. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or even just switching up your strength training exercises are great ways to switch things up. If you can try new things, then you may find new motivation.
Light It Up!
The dark can be straight up depressing. That’s why you need to get an alarm clock that emits light! These types of alarm clocks gradually change the amount of light they emit as the time approaches for you to wake up. It’s like a fake sunrise right there in your room! This will help you to get up out of bed and start your day in the dead of winter a little bit easier.
Sign Up for Something
There’s nothing like goals to get you motivated, so make a new goal. Sign yourself up for a race in the spring or an indoor triathlon. Just try to find something to give you a goal to work at during this time of the year and chances are you will stay motivated!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.