It’s that time of year again, when we set the clocks back an hour. And while I love getting those extra winks initially, there’s always a sense of dread knowing the days ahead will gradually get dark earlier. This, plus colder conditions ahead, can easily squash motivation to stay active.
While it may be tempting to set your mental clock to hibernation mode until the warmer weather and sunshine-filled days return, hitting the snooze button on your healthy habits will only make you feel worse in the long run. One more reason to find a way to find a winter exercise routine that works for you: It’s a mood-booster and can help alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
Here are a few ways to jump-start your winter routine:
Go to sleep earlier
There’s a lot of truth behind Benjamin Franklin’s old adage, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” When you’re well-rested, you’re more energized to accomplish your daily goals. This philosophy extends to your aerobic ambitions, as well. We’re all guilty of marathon watching a Netflix series, or losing track of time while scrolling through social media, but regardless of what’s keeping you awake, one thing is for sure: Burning the midnight oil makes waking up the next day harder. And when your alarm sounds, it’s tempting to make up that extra hour of lost sleep instead of waking up and working out.