Not adapting exercise to the seasons? Here’s how to know. You’re chattering in your running shorts after a snowy sprint from gym to car. Air conditioned savasana feels the opposite of relaxing. You’ve almost forgotten that you, too, used to play the sports in the park you’re now watching from a patio bar. Sound familiar? Perhaps you need a seasonal refresh on your physical goals.
Fighting the weather happens, and we can’t always do exactly what we’d like. But rethinking your fitness routine with the seasons in mind keeps you from getting bored with exercise and supports your overall health.
The Seasons Affect Your Body and Mind
Seasonal changes, especially the amount of daylight, affect your body’s circadian rhythms. These, in turn, impact how alert you feel, hormone release, even your appetite. Work with them by getting outside when you can, especially in the sun. Look for ways to protect yourself against extremes of nature and choose activities that fit into weather constraints.
Adjust to the Seasons Wherever You Work Out
Exertion takes effort, but including beauty and inspiration in the mix help you stay positive. Look for a view you like, put on a bright colored hat in the cold months, and note small changes on your routes. Getting outside all four seasons means a front row seat to autumn leaves falling, spring bulbs emerging, even road construction workers doing their summer best.
Spring Fitness Activities for Windy Days Turning Warmer
If you find yourself facing boredom and frustration while trying to be active, seasonal approaches create more energy. Try moving your daily run out of your apartment’s indoor fitness center to instead watch the early morning spring sunrise come up across your city.
Summer: Find Exercise Suitable for the Season and Get Outside
Summer creates an openness in our bodies. Warmth encourages languid nights of lazy softball or dancing under the stars. Long, sunny, humid days cry out for water sports – kayaking, swimming, or just walking around a lake.
Look for ways to mix movement and Vitamin D-creating sunlight. Boost serotonin levels, too, along with your mood, immune system and sleep schedule. Lather on the sunscreen, drink enough water, and share your good mood just by being around others.
It’s a great time to explore your town, and bike to a farmer’s market, down a mountain trail, or along the lake or ocean shore. Walk around your neighborhood. Explore a tree-lined street.
Autumn Exercise Ideas Include Hiking and Kickball
Keep moving as the weather grows colder. Start building strength for winter months and get outside into the crisp air. It’s a great time for outdoor team sports like soccer. Find some friends or join a community team. Running around with others and sharing a goal, not to mention a beer afterwards, keeps you feeling connected as the days start to grow shorter.
Strength Building Helps You Fend Off Winter’s Challenges
Muscles either contract or release. Heat relaxes them, whereas cold does the reverse. Certain types of movement emphasize one more than the other. Think resistance training versus yoga. Keeping this basic dichotomy in mind, sports that emphasize strength – like football – or incorporate strong positions while sliding across the snow or ice – skiing, hockey, broomball – keep you staying strong and active in winter.
The Best Seasonal Activities Stay with You
Jerry Rice said, “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” While not all of us are born to be wide receivers, it reminds us to be consistent in taking care of ourselves. Hiking up a snowy hill makes your work presentation less daunting. Drinking in the freedom of a frisbee sailing across the park on a windy spring day makes the rest of the week a tiny bit more beautiful.
So grab a friend and move your body. Whatever the season.
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