If you are looking a way to fight the winter blues, try a little exercise at home. The days are becoming shorter, the temperatures are dipping, and it takes effort to get outside. It is no wonder you might be struggling with low spirits and seasonal doldrums.
Winter can be long and miserable. From November to March, many suffer from seasonal flus, the common cold, bronchial congestion, increased levels of fatigue, and even depression. One of the main reasons people experience the winter blues is less exposure sunshine… that beautiful vitamin D. Then of course, there is inactivity. Couch potato syndrome puts you on the fast track to feeling less vibrant that you have to be.
Exercise at home is an easy way to combat those winter blues.
The Benefits of Exercising in the Winter
If you take on the challenge to exercise at home this season, you may experience any or even ALL of the benefits outlined:
- Weight Loss
- Energy Boost
- Mood Enhancement
- Increased Self Confidence
- Detoxification of Waste
- Improved Circulation
- Boost to Immune System
- Stress Reduction
- Elimination of Anxiety
Top Exercises for Beating the Winter Blues
Now that you know that exercise at home will help you combat the winter blues, it is time to learn a few exercises that will aid in your endeavor.
Stretching is a great way to get the blood flowing, plus, it’s probably the easiest exercise you’ll ever do. You can stretch standing up, sitting down, or even while lying down! A little 5 minute stretch is so easy, the only excuse you’ll have is that you forgot. Set an alert on your computer or your phone to remind you to reach for the sky.
Have you tried Yoga? Its popularity spread across the nation like wildfire and has become common practice all over the United States. Yoga is so easy to do at home. You don’t need a mat or any special clothes or equipment and everything you need to learn is online. Adriene Mishler from Yoga With Adriene is a great at teaching yoga at home. You’ll fall in love with her the minute you meet her. With her ‘Find What Feels Good’ approach, yoga doesn’t have to be rigid and painful.
Workout Videos Remember the 80s? Flashy spandex, sweatbands and high top Reeboks. It seemed like everyone and their mother had a workout video tape. They did get something right. Working out at home can get results. Gilad Janklowicz is arguably the best fitness trainer that you’ve never heard of. After 30 years, his fitness show Bodies in Motion was the 7th longest running cable tv series. And for good reason. His workouts aren’t very long or strenuous and they’re ultra effective. I tried his Body Challenge Warmup coupled with the Dynamic Moves workout and lost 5 lbs in a week. Try Gilad TV.
Dance Like No One’s Watching. Ok, it’s a beautiful life quote, but have you tried it? There’s no better way to lift your spirits than to turn up your favorite tune and get moving. It doesn’t matter how you dance or if you even look “good” while dancing. That is the beauty of exercise at home; it is done in the privacy of your home! Heres some motivation… Try NOT to dance to this song.