Winterize Your Exercise Routine = Winter Resilience

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What sorts of things do you do to winterize your home for the cold weather? Do you hang thick curtains in the doorways, put plastic on the windows, bring in firewood, or fill up the humidifiers? 

Well, the same care and preparation can be taken to winterize your exercise routine!

Staying moving during the dark and cold months is an amazing mental health tool.
Try these tips!



    Start Now

·       If you’re not currently in an exercise habit, start it now. Train your body to crave activity on a regular basis before it gets hard to get moving!

       Adjust your WHY

        During the winter, your main reason to exercise may shift to a mental health coping skill. Check in with how exercise influences your mood and feelings to see if adjusting your reason to exercise will help motivate you to move!

·     Grow your thick winter skin 

      You CAN exercise outside for many months during the winter! Start to allow your body to adapt to the cold, and you'll be surprised how much you adjust. Pile up some gloves, ear bands or hats, and don't forget lights or a reflector vest!

        Move it inside 

    If you don't feel safe exercising outside, you may be a seasonal gymgoer! Check out nearby workout facilities and ask around if they have a discount you'd qualify for. You can always cancel your membership if you don't want to pay for it year-round.          

         Get Social

    Find a buddy or a group to make exercise FUN, and to text you "where are you?" when you want to skip! 

  • Try a class at a gym or yoga studio
  • Form a walking or running group with friends, family, or coworkers
  • Sign up for a dance class (check out your local library!)

·       


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