8 Ways to Stay Motivated This Winter

For many of us, winter is a time to stay indoors, curled up with our favorite book by a fireplace. You may envision sipping hot cocoa while wrapped in your favorite blanket. However, staying active throughout the winter has numerous benefits for your health. We would like to suggest 8 ways to stay motivated to keep getting things done this winter when all you want to do is stay at home.

Having someone to help hold you accountable can ensure that you stay on track. This is especially true in the winter when it is cold outside, and gets dark early. Set a time to meet a friend to work out and then stick to it. You will both benefit from the exercise and accountability.

Especially if you plan to exercise outside, the right gear can make the experience both safer, and more enjoyable. Invest in a few quality pieces that will be durable, and comfortable. You may want to consider wearing layers if you are exercising outside. Start with a base layer made of wicking material. Then add an insulating layer to help retain warmth. Finally, add a waterproof or windproof layer depending on the conditions.

Make sure you have the right accessories as well. If you are skiing or running, purchase appropriate shoes or boots. You will also want to have warm headwear and gloves, and possibly a neck warmer. If you will be on icy surfaces, look into ice spikes or YakTrax to help give you more traction.

Goals can help us stay focused and make us more likely to follow through. This is especially true during the winter months when the cold weather makes it easy to justify skipping a workout. Set a goal that you want to reach in the next few months, and you will be more likely to follow through on your workout routine.

When it is dark outside it is particularly hard to get up and get moving. A natural light alarm clock such as the Phillips Wake Up Light can help your body wake up gradually by slowly increasing the amount of light to simulate a natural sunrise. This can help support your body’s hormones and help you to wake up with ease.

If you are active in a single sport year round you are more susceptible to injury or burnout. Change up your routine by participating in different activities during the winter months. There are plenty of indoor options to choose from if you prefer to stay out of the cold. Join a group exercise class, head to the gym, or swim laps in the pool. It can give you a way to stay active, and break up the monotony of participating in the same activity over and over.

If you are heading outside to exercise, you can get a head start by warming up indoors. This will help to get your blood flowing and raise your body temperature before you head out in the cold. Run or walk on a treadmill, do some jumping jacks, or lunges. Whatever you choose, just get your heart rate up before you head out the door.

When you are getting up early and it is cold outside, it’s easy to back out of a workout if you can’t find your gear. Lay out your workout clothes and any necessary gear before you go to bed for the night. You may even choose to sleep in your base layer to make getting dressed in the morning even quicker.

Many modern thermostats allow you to program them for different temperatures throughout the day. Night time is a good time to turn the heat down, as cooler temperatures promote better sleep. However, they can also make it difficult to get out of bed on chilly mornings. Set your thermostat to increase the temperature a half hour before you are supposed to get up so you aren’t tempted to stay in your nice warm bed.

Winter can be a tough time to stay focused on your health and fitness goals. But with a few easy motivation hacks, you can stay on track all winter long. Don’t derail your health goals by skipping workouts. Stay motivated and you will be ahead of the game once spring rolls around.