“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.” ~Carol Welch
As we enter the coldest, bleakest months of winter and the promise of spring seems far off, it is strongly recommended, if you haven’t already, to create a workout plan to keep your body and mood in good shape as you look forward to warmer weather. Many feel the urge to this time of year to curl up on the couch in sweats and hibernate until spring. RESIST IT and keep moving!
The colder months can take a toll on both your physical and mental well-being. A case of the winter blues can include some or all of the following symptoms:
- Boredom, restlessness
- Lethargy, feelings of fatigue
- Irritability and a feeling of being cooped up or “stir crazy”
- Trouble concentrating
- Sweet cravings, overeating
The colder months and lack of sunshine can also seriously deplete or even wipe out your vitamin D stores. Vitamin D deficiency can cause or exacerbate a wide range of serious diseases including common cancers, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases and cardiovascular problems.
Prescription for this problem? Exercise! Regular workouts during the winter months will boost your mood naturally and chase away the blahs or even more serious feelings of depression.
If you enjoy winter sports like downhill or cross-country skiing or ice skating, which are great for your body and get you outdoors, by all means take advantage of the colder weather to engage in those activities. If winter sports aren’t your thing, on sunny days get out for a brisk walk so you can benefit from both the movement and the sunshine. Breathe in the fresh, crisp air and enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin.
On cold, cloudy days, you can exercise indoors. Join a gym or make use of that health club membership you already have. It’s very important to choose exercises you enjoy and then alternate among them to ward off boredom. Indoors during the winter months, your choices might include:
- Racquetball
- An aerobics class
- Jogging on an indoor track
- Pilates or Yoga
- Weight Training
- Dancing
- Kickboxing
Exercise helps boost your immune system, which means fewer colds and flu during the winter months. It has been shown to decrease your risk of diseases as wide ranging as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer. In addition, there is evidence regular workouts can cause healthy structural changes in your heart. Exercise is also a great way to relieve tension and manage the dangerous physical symptoms of stress. When you exercise, endorphins are released in your brain. Endorphins are all natural tranquilizers and mood elevators which create feelings of relaxation and renewal.
So this New Years, keep that resolution and keep moving!
Wishing you a Happy & Healthy 2014 from the Northboro Chiropractic Center