Offset the winter blues by exercising outside

Offset the hibernation tendency by developing an all year round exercise plan to fit in around your online fitness course if you’re up for it!

Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to exercise at the gym (let alone outside) during winter but there are many reasons to get into a regular winter exercise routine both at the gym and outdoors that will help to offset the natural lack of energy people can experience during the cold months.

Although there is a reduction in light hours during winter, there is still going to be benefits for you to get outside into the fresh air even if it’s raining. Even small amounts of exposure to the sun can give you trace elements of vitamins that are essential to human health. The other benefit to working out outside is getting fresh oxygen into the lungs, helping to filter out toxins that build up in the body.

Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This debilitating ailment can cause depression, anxiety and de-motivation as key symptoms that can last throughout winter. One way to deal with this is to make a plan of action to get out and exercise. Initially a person might feel resistance to this course of action but it can make a huge difference. Getting your body moving increases self-confidence, gives you more energy, better sleep and a release of feel-good hormones that can make you feel healthy and more positive! If, however you think you’re experiencing something more serious than SAD then see your health professional for an assessment first.

Walking the dog, taking the kids to the park (all wrapped up), a winter beach walk or biking somewhere are activities that engage you with nature. Often we’re too busy to see the beauty in the surroundings we live in so being able to get out and absorb the beauty of the environment is good for relaxation and gaining focus. Getting outside to exercise will improve your circulation and warm your body up to cope with the cold weather.

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AIF

The Australian Institute of Fitness

The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) is the largest and longest established fitness training organisation in Australia, with dynamic training methods and expert course coaches nationwide - spanning fitness, massage and nutrition. The AIF qualifies more fitness professionals than any other provider in Australia, as well as offering a broad range of continuing education courses (CEC), upskilling resources and partnership programs for existing industry.