Keep Going Through Winter
Winter is upon us. As the days get shorter and the nights get colder it’s easy to make excuses to skip your workout. But exercising through winter brings so many benefits it’s worth making the effort.
The most obvious reason to keep up your exercise routine is to maintain a healthy weight year round. Don’t hibernate like a bear or you’ll end up looking like one! Confidence and vitality is just as important in winter as it is in summer, especially if you’re planning a tropical getaway.
Another great benefit of exercise is that it improves your sense of wellbeing at a time of year when you can feel a little flat. As daylight hours decrease the balance between our serotonin and melatonin can shift. Seratonin and melatonin are hormones that regulate various human functions such as sleep, mood and appetite. These temporary imbalances can be levelled out by endorphins, the "happy hormones" we produce when exercising. Endorphins moderate the appetite and reduce cravings for the carb-packed comfort foods we look for in the winter months when serotonin is lower. A good workout tires you out and helps you sleep better at night.
A third benefit of exercising through winter is boosting immunity. We all need protection from the germs that are circulating around the office or being brought home from school and kindy. Exercise improves immunity by increasing circulation. And of course the restful sleep and alleviation of stress that exercise provides are great for immunity too. If you’re already under the weather it may pay to take the day off, check out my article Be Careful When You’re Sick to find out how sick is too sick to exercise.
For many people the winter period brings a change of schedule to accommodate different sports and activities. You might need a revised exercise plan. Many of my clients find it more difficult to get to the gym as often as usual so I give them a backup exercise program they can do without leaving the house.
Don’t let winter weather come between you and your health. Keep up your exercise and enjoy the benefits of wellbeing, strength and confidence through the current season and beyond.
The most obvious reason to keep up your exercise routine is to maintain a healthy weight year round. Don’t hibernate like a bear or you’ll end up looking like one! Confidence and vitality is just as important in winter as it is in summer, especially if you’re planning a tropical getaway.
Another great benefit of exercise is that it improves your sense of wellbeing at a time of year when you can feel a little flat. As daylight hours decrease the balance between our serotonin and melatonin can shift. Seratonin and melatonin are hormones that regulate various human functions such as sleep, mood and appetite. These temporary imbalances can be levelled out by endorphins, the "happy hormones" we produce when exercising. Endorphins moderate the appetite and reduce cravings for the carb-packed comfort foods we look for in the winter months when serotonin is lower. A good workout tires you out and helps you sleep better at night.
A third benefit of exercising through winter is boosting immunity. We all need protection from the germs that are circulating around the office or being brought home from school and kindy. Exercise improves immunity by increasing circulation. And of course the restful sleep and alleviation of stress that exercise provides are great for immunity too. If you’re already under the weather it may pay to take the day off, check out my article Be Careful When You’re Sick to find out how sick is too sick to exercise.
For many people the winter period brings a change of schedule to accommodate different sports and activities. You might need a revised exercise plan. Many of my clients find it more difficult to get to the gym as often as usual so I give them a backup exercise program they can do without leaving the house.
Don’t let winter weather come between you and your health. Keep up your exercise and enjoy the benefits of wellbeing, strength and confidence through the current season and beyond.