5 Ways To Avoid The Winter Blues

Do you feel like you lose all motivation to stay on track with your fitness goals once the fall and winter rolls around?

Do you just want to stay in your sweatpants and hoodie all day drinking hot chocolate, binge watching Game of Thrones starting all the way back to season 1, and completely throwing all your good-intentioned macro plans and workout schedules out the frosted window?

You're not alone.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), 6% of Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and another 10%-20% experience a mild form of it.

Whether you suffer from SAD or simply feel a little down in the winter dumps, here are some tips to help you keep your spirits high and your overhead presses higher. 💪

1. Exercise

Let's get those feel good chemicals and endorphins pumping through your veins on the daily!

Physical activity:

reduces anxiety and depressive moods
boosts energy
increases motivation and good moods
enhances self esteem
helps you sleep better
deepens concentration and memory

I mean, do I even need to go on? Exercise is a powerful tool. It's no accident that it's numero uno on this list.

2. Play Outside

Go the heck outside (and bonus points if you do something fun). Seriously. It can do wonders for your physical and mental health.

Now depending on where you live, this could look very different from person to person.

Here are a few ideas to get you outside and feeling good:

Going for a walk while listening to a comedy podcast or chatting with a funny friend.
Cycling around with your family while singing your favorite songs.
Taking your dog for a longer walk than usual or along a new route.

3. Get A Healthy Dose of Vitamin D

As you probably already know, we get a huge chunk of our Vitamin D from that warm, glorious ball of fire in the sky.

During the darker and gloomier winter months, it can be a serious challenge for some to get enough time soaking up a healthy does of sunshine (if it's even there).

It's a great idea to start incorporating a Vitamin D supplement as a part of your morning routine.

If you really want some extra credit, add some of these foods that are naturally high in Vitamin D into your diet:

Salmon
Sardines
Tuna
Mushrooms
Egg Yolks
And fortified foods like: milk, soy milk, orange juice, oatmeal, etc.

4. Brighten Up Your Wardrobe

There's no need to make gloomy days even gloomier with your outfit.

Try mixing it up with some bright colors and fun patterns. Maybe you'll even trick your brain into thinking it's spring!

At least there's one fashion trend that made sense in the 80's.

5. Take On A New Project

Keep your mind busy, active, and give yourself the gift of feeling accomplished. You know, that feeling after you organize that junk drawer or finally wash your car after putting git off for one too many months.

Here are a few ideas to keep you active and productive around the house on a rainy day:

Organize a closet or two
Cleaning out the garage
Going through your wardrobe and donating your neglected pieces to charity
Painting a room

If you commit to doing even just a few of these suggestions this winter, I'm positive you'll feel better, happier, more motivated, and be more like to stay on track with your #fitlife goals.

Let's make it a goal to have a fantastic winter. Sound good?

If you're looking for a little extra motivation and really determined to get back on track with a fitness routine this winter, check this out!

For more awesome fitness tips and real talk, come hang out with me on Instagram. I'd love to connect with you over there. 🤗

Lindsay