Cold Weather Trends
Have you ever felt a change in your desire to keep your body in motion during the cold weather months? The change in your demeanor changes your fitness and activity levels. The change in your activity levels changes your mindset. The change in your mindset affects your diet, your sleep, and your overall health.
Climate change may be keeping the earth warm but that doesn’t stop the temperature from dropping this time of year. Well maybe unless you’re in Australia. Despite that, the cooler weather may bring in changes to behaviors and habits that may not align with your long term goals of better health practices for a prolonged life, increase daily activities for your heart and bones, increase energy levels to be with your family and friends, and of course increase the frequency you feel great in your own body.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) traditionally rolls in around the change of the seasons (hence the name). You may not know of this disorder formally but during this time of year, it’s dubbed the “winter blues.” And yet symptoms can also occur in the summer. Cold weather alone doesn’t bring about this disorder but more so the lack of sunlight. Increased hours of darkness, make humans inherently want to hibernate, conserve energy, and insulate to stay warm. These physical changes can bring about mental changes such as depression and anxiety.
Too often we’ll let our environment dictate how we respond. The pandemic of 2020 challenged our responses to our environment. This season can be different! Why not incentivize yourself to stay on track and combat against the anticipation of those winter blues?
Becoming
A good goal setting process includes a good incentive to can keep you running towards your goal. I remember when I had the goal to run my first half marathon which also meant I worked to keep my body in motion during the cold weather.
Always an athlete but never a super long distance runner, this challenge had to be broken up into bit sized obtainable pieces. The daily schedule of 3 – 7 mile runs didn’t seem too bad after a while. But the once a week long runs of 9 – 11 miles just looked so daunting. The short runs felt refreshing while the thought of the long runs sent my body into shock and my mind into avoidance.
The shift in my mindset came when I gave myself permission to BE a half marathon runner, not just run a half marathon.
I took on the enjoyment of nature when I ran outside, the luxury of music when I ran inside, and the liveliness a challenge brings to my capabilities. Part of becoming a half marathon runner meant I chose to look the part and take care of my body just as they do. The gear completed my transition physically and made me excited to run my first half marathon. As friction pops up from time to time such as the weather or a pandemic, you can count on clothes to keep you warm, protected, and inspire you to continue to keep your body in motion.
Whether you’d rather stay inside, venture to a gym, or brave an outdoor workout, here is a great line up of seasonal cold weather features to add to your winter closet and motivate you to stay active.
1. Long Sleeves
Many gym-goers do not want to work out in long sleeves. The heat builds up too much causing overheating or the sweat accumulates too much and becomes unattractive both visually and olfactorily. However, given a good fit, appealing style, and breathable fabric, long sleeves are an optional part of your layers or your main workout attire. Workouts done outside welcome long sleeves, helping the non-sweatier parts of your body stay insulated and warm. Thumbhole features aid in keeping the long sleeves in place with your full range of motion. Furthermore, long sleeves, and many short sleeves, have the optional UV protection to ensure you’re fully covered from the harsh elements like the cold.
2. Fleece Lined Pieces
Fleece lined outer garments are wonderful for insulating with your layers. Some people are colder on their legs while other are colder on their upper body. There are fleece-lined leggings and fleece-lined long sleeve workout shirts that provide both comfort, warmth, and moisture wicking abilities. The cold weather is no match for the comforting fleece family.
3. Color and Design Appeal
Though not exactly physically functional, colors do motivate! Using bright colors and patterns not only keep your eyes excited, but it also draws people towards you. Marketing psychologists notice this with certain colors and human buying behaviors. The attention among the dark days sparks conversations and invites social interactions, just what the soul needed during an isolating period of time. Colors that bring you joy, which could absolutely be deep fall colors or dark winter colors, as well as attractive patterns make you more inclined to wear your workout cloths, making you one step closer to wanting to move your body!
According to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, reducing an obstacle to your desired behavior change makes change convenient. Even better when that change is fun!
Workout clothes alone will not inspire you to beat symptoms of SAD but they can offer both functionality and incentives to support your body staying in motion. If you think adding to your closest is a lost cause, just remember how your investments are helping you live the life you want to live. The weather, the season, the daylight are no match for your health. Enjoy these 3 looks to keep your body in motion during the cold weather and keep your health and fitness goals throughout the season.
Thank you for reading Flip the Script Blog! Do you need help revitalizing your confidence or feeling youthful and energized? Contact me directly for more information on fitness, nutrition and mindset coaching.