6 reasons to exercise in winter (and it’s not about health)

67% of women quit exercising as the days get shorter. This means that they are unable to enjoy all the health benefits of moving more.

Are you not keen to run in the dark after work? You can always swap your workouts for a night on the couch. Are you tired of the rain pouring down on your walks? These scenarios are not uncommon.

According to Sports Direct’s new research, 67% of women give up exercise during winter. Younger women are more likely to quit. 48% of all genders said it was difficult to maintain their winter exercise routines. Brits will spend 882 hours in the couch this season, according to Am I Being Unreasonable.

People aren’t just concerned about the weather. 7 out of 10 women believe that dark evenings make it difficult to find running routes that are well-lit. This makes them less inclined to go outside.

You know just as well as us the health benefits of being active all year. A 2020 YouGov poll found that 27% of Brits do not exercise at least once a week. We also know that women have seen a significant drop in their activity levels since lockdown. It is concerning that more people will be discouraged by dark mornings and rainy evenings.

It’s important to be clear that many people don’t stop exercising simply because they are lazy or don’t like moving. It’s not easy to find time, money, and energy that you need to maintain a healthy fitness routine. Ironically, you’ll get more out of your fitness if you put in more effort and time. To reap the investment benefits, you must be able overcome these initial hurdles.

We are here to remind everyone that even 10 minutes of movement can have a significant impact on your health.

6 (NON-HEALTHY) REASONS to Exercise During Winter

Exercise can increase our energy levels

Although it takes energy to move, you can reap the benefits of what you sow. Exercise can help you get more oxygen and nutrients into your body. Exercise can also help us use stored energy. This means that our bodies are primed to use energy more efficiently.

A study in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics revealed that even 20 minutes of light movement can result in significant fatigue reduction.

The researchers divided the participants into three groups. The first group did 20 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise three times per week for six weeks. The second group did the same amount of low-intensity aerobic exercise for the same time, while the third didn’t do any exercise at all. Low intensity participants, who did the equivalent to a leisurely walk, reported a 65% decrease in fatigue, while the more intense group saw a 49% reduction. The proof is in the pudding.

Exercise is proven to improve mood, energy, and regulate emotions

The International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health published a 2020 review on the relationship between running, mental health, and running. It reviewed over 116 studies.

Moving around outside of the labs can have a positive effect on our thinking about problems. We might run out of steam when we are angry and then walk around the block. Sometimes, when we are stressed, we may go outside to get fresh air. Running or walking is a great way to release stress-related thoughts. The intensity of emotion can diminish if you stop. Jogging is not as intense as jogging.

…and can assist us in processing emotions

A study from 2019 found that running activates brain networks involved in emotional processing. Researchers asked participants to run or walk on a treadmill and then assessed changes in brain connections. They found that both types of exercise resulted in a significant improvement in mood. While running stimulated the brain’s cognitive control and attention areas, walking activated networks that are involved in emotional processing.

It aids in problem solving at work

A brisk walk, or jog can help you think through a problem. You can help with any kind of problem, whether it’s a staff issue at work, technical problems or general malaise. According to a 2017 study in Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine, regular exercise can help us solve problems. It was actually possible to increase thinking power by simply starting to exercise regularly.

Anger can lead to us running around the block and storming out of rooms. Sometimes, when we’re stressed, we might take a walk to get fresh air. Running or walking is a great way to let go of any negative thoughts or feelings.

This is a rare opportunity to hear our favorite shows

I don’t know if you are surprised, but I only get to listen to my favorite podcasts while I am on the go. It’s hard to listen to podcasts when you live with others. However, when you are running, walking, or cycling with your friends, you only have yourself and your pod.

Exercise can ease your pain and aches

Exercise can help with lower back pain, stiff necks, and sore wrists from sitting at a computer all day. Yoga isn’t the only way to ease tightness. Running can help relieve back pain. Aerobic exercise is a good treatment for lower back pain. It increases blood flow and nutrients to soft tissues, which in turn improves healing and reduces stiffness.

We all used to go on walks with our friends during lockdown — so why are we letting that go?

Running or walking dates can foster closer relationships

All of us grew to be used to going out for walks in the park with our friends during lockdown. We really enjoyed these heart-to-hearts. You might be tempted to stop meeting up with friends or going out on dates now that the park is open again. These walking social events are brilliant because they don’t cost much, you can move, and they allow you to see new places or be closer to your friends.

Walking is a great way to foster conversations. This is because our senses are more sharp when we’re outside, which means we can access new ideas and topics. Shane O’Mara, a neuroscientist, previously stated to Stylist that ideas that were just below consciousness level when you’re sitting can rise into consciousness due to the active brain.