Don’t Hibernate During the Winter Months

Give yourself, and others, grace. When you have a difficult

excuses to hibernate on the couch in front of your fireplace or TV and avoid physical activity. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap. You can, and should, be just as active in winter as any other season. Forget about the cold temperatures (bundle up if you have to) and get yourself moving. Here are some tips and ideas for alternatives to hibernating this winter. Play some winter sports. Try outdoor sports like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, hockey, even ice fishing. Okay, these aren’t all technically sports, but they are winter activities that will get you up and moving. Plus, all of these are easy to enjoy while you take some well-earned time off. Exercise at home. It’s relatively easy and inexpensive to set up a home gym. All you need is a yoga mat and/or some hand weights to get started. A variety of workout videos are available for free on YouTube. Your favorite App store also has numerous options for workout routines and trackers. Go outside with your kids. A great way to get the blood flowing is to go outside and play with your kids. Don’t have kids? Then play around with your dog. Sledding, building a snowman, having a snowball fight and throwing a ball around with your favorite fuzzy friend are all ways to exercise while having fun. Get outside in general. Not every winter day is unbearable. Embrace the milder days and go for a walk. Of course, you have to be careful around ice, but if you dress appropriately, you can still soak up the sun and get some fresh air during a pleasurable walk. Join/start a step challenge. You can challenge your family, friends or coworkers. This could be a long-term challenge (months) or shortterm (one week). day, feel down or are not proud of the way you expressed your feelings, try to respond with compassion. Take a moment to talk to yourself in a way that is supportive, understanding and forgiving. Surround yourself (if not physically) with the emotional support of a few special people who can be there for you when the going gets tough. It is more important to consciously reach out to others, even if you have not heard from them in a while.

The last year has made many people feel stressed and uneasy. Winter brings with it the possibility that such feelings may take a deeper hold. If you embrace these suggestions and the people in your life, you can help ensure you stay mentally healthy. If you think you could use some additional help, reach out to your friends,

The cold weather and early sunsets of winter may seem like good

family or your personal doctor to get the support you need. Join a gym or fitness class. Most gyms and fitness centers are operating under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to help keep people safe. It’s a personal decision and if you are comfortable with the idea, start working out. Be sure to choose a conveniently located facility so driving in winter won’t

be an issue.