HEALTH

When the weather is cold and dreary, it can be tempting to bundle up and catch some Z’s. But it’s still important to stay active during the fall and winter (even though getting enough sleep is also so important). Check out these hacks for staying active in bitter weather...when all you really want to do is stay in bed.

1. Turn the mall into your indoor track.
OK, so you can’t exactly go for a run in your local shopping mall, but on days when the weather is super cold, stay active by walking around the local mall for a while. Bonus: You can also do some holiday shopping.

2. If you’re going to watch Netflix or YouTube, watch some workout vids instead.
When the roads are bad and the weather is way too chilly, it can be hard to find the motivation to go to the gym. In the middle of binge watching your fave series, take some time to watch a YouTube workout video and follow the steps. You can stay warm, cozy and fit at the same time.

3. Take advantage of colder weather activities.
There are some amazing activities that are pretty unique to winter. Whether it’s gathering your BFFs to go ice skating outside, having a snowball fight or making snow angels, there are still ways to have fun outside during the winter that get your bod moving, too.

4. Focus on recharging.
You can sometimes find yourself in a slump during the winter. The days are cold and short and you just can’t seem to gather the same energy you had during the summer. Take some time to focus on you. Put your phone down for a little while, turn off Netflix and do something you really enjoy. Write in a journal or paint a picture. Drink some tea or hot cocoa. Sure, these things alone won’t get you moving, but you’ll feel more motivated to get active once you dedicate a little time to mental health and self-care.

5. Dance often.
Some activities are easier to do inside than others. Dancing is one of them. Try a Zumba or hip-hop class at the gym, or just invite your besties over for a dance-off. Feeling bored during the day? Instead of staying in bed and watching a movie, turn on some of your fave tunes and dance around for a bit.

How do you stay active in the winter? Let us know in the comments.

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by Paige Sheffield | 10/28/2018