🍁 Adjusting Movement for the Cold
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🎉 Happy Friday, Friends!
It's finally cooling down out there, so it's time to talk about how to deal. The changing seasons can be beautiful, but it can be difficult to keep your movement practice consistent and fulfilling when it's gloomy and rainy. The next couple of newsletters will help you ease into the cold season with tips and mindset shifts that will keep you energized and warm.
Your body knows what season it is.
There's a very good reason why we eat richer, creamier foods in the winter and eat lighter, fresher foods in the summer. It's the same reason why we need more sleep in the winter and why we want to be in the sun more in the summer. Like many animals, humans respond biologically to the amount of sunlight we get season to season. We have a natural drive to exist in harmony with nature, even if that drive gets obscured by blue light, crying babies, and work schedules. It's the way our bodies are meant to exist – in response to what the earth is producing and how long it's warm out.
My best tip: don't force anything.
I get it, sometimes you have to force yourself to get out of bed. The rent is due! But when it's cold and gray outside, sometimes the workout isn't what you need. Sometimes it's just as energizing to read a book in the morning next to your happy lamp. You do have to get up and do the thing sometimes. But if you see an opportunity for something lower energy when the lack of sun is already taking some of your energy, take it.
Switch up the balance between strength and cardio.
In the winter, I like to do more cardio just to stay warm. In Chicago, there comes a time somewhere between November and May when it seems like warmth is a faraway memory. Sweating is a great way to move stress and energy through and out of your body, and even more so when it's cold out. Not to mention the heart health benefits!
Expand your idea of what movement includes.
There are so many ways to get some movement in when it's cold, especially because there's so much to do in the city! You can get a similar level of exertion with less effort when it's cold, so one thing I've been enjoying recently is a walking tour. Check out walking.chicago on Instagram.
Invest in a walking pad.
You can get a solid workout in while you watch TV without a bulky treadmill in your living room! I like rolling out the walking pad when it's really bad out there. There are tons of low-profile options, so you can find something that's easy to store and gets you moving while avoiding the obstacle of having to leave the house.
It's not too bad out yet. We still have time to prepare for the long winter, friends. More ways to prepare next week!
With you as we finally enjoy a hot beverage,
Dana