fit body
Winter is No Time to Hibernate by Brendan M. Cournane
Get Out the Door While it may seem more appealing to curl up in a snuggie with a cup of hot chocolate in front of a fireplace rather than head out the door for a walk or a run, exercising in winter is more exhilarating than any other time of the year, with studies showing mood improvement through exercise. Often, we feel we have accomplished enough in the warmth and sunlight of summer only to feel the draw to rest and hibernate during the winter months. Instead, take stock of the goals set ear-
lier. Whether or not those goals have been met, winter is a maintenance season that sets the stage for further improvement when the time is right. Our winter outdoor exercise routine may be less vigorous than in summer, but is it not less beneficial (with a little preparation on how to run in cold weather). Without a review of where we are at and where we want to go, there is a tendency to stop our activity completely. Instead, resetting our goals in the fall, maintaining a base in winter and planning for springtime sets the stage for continued improvement, starting from a solid base, not from square one. While less activity is commonplace in winter, it is important to have a goal and a plan.
Personality Type It is important to understand our favored personality type: Tasmanian devil, eagle or honeybee. The Tasmanian devil is nocturnal and performs best at night; the eagle in the early morning; and the honeybee in the afternoon. No type is inherently better than the other; each evolved differently and performs better at certain times of the day. Likewise with humans. We may perform best in the evening, the morning or the middle of the afternoon. Knowing our type is a way to stay motivated in an exercise program, setting time to exercise at a time most conducive to our best performance. This is more important when exercising in winter than in the spring and summer, as there are enough other distractions in the cold. Following a routine is key to staying motivated in the fall and winter. Knowing when we are most likely to exercise sets the routine.
The author kayaking in Antarctica
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Photo courtesy of Brendan Cournane
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inter brings a natural transition. We see shorter amounts of sunlight each day, and gone are the late evening sunsets as darkness surrounds us before dinner. When temperatures plummet, nighttime comes early and the wind rises with a chill in the air, it can be difficult to motivate ourselves to stay active, knowing that the cold and snow of winter are around the corner. When trees lose their leaves, it may bring about a sense of loss until we recall the reason is to conserve energy for the shorter nights and colder weather, only to blossom again when spring erupts. Like the trees, humans can conserve energy in winter while resetting goals and recommitting to them. There is a natural progression to life. We start an activity, increase our activity, reach a goal and then relax until it is time to start again. Rest and recovery are important both in nature and in humans up to a point. Winter is not a time of loss. Rather, it provides time to review, reset and recommit.
