By Leah Rodriguez, MS, Wellness Director at Westminster Village
With the holiday season upon us, it may be tempting to think about putting your workouts by the wayside with the promise to start again after the New Year. But research shows that when regular exercise stops, the benefits begin to diminish within a few short weeks. It is better to perform maintenance workouts than to stop completely and lose what you’ve worked so hard for all year.
If you are planning on keeping your regular exercise schedule throughout the holidays, then great! But if the holidays are keeping you extra busy, and you are tempted to forget the whole thing until January, try to make adjustments such as reducing the time of each workout session or cutting back to only a few workouts a week. Maintaining the momentum of your regular exercise routine is going to be much easier than stopping all together and trying to start over again next year.
Exercise can also help you get through the challenges of the holiday season whether you already workout or are thinking about getting started. Here are a few reasons why you should give yourself the gift of regular exercise throughout the holiday season.
Holiday Weight Gain: The holidays can be a time of year for excess calories. Exercise can keep those extra pounds at bay by burning calories and maintaining muscle mass which helps support your metabolism.
Holiday Stress: Exercise promotes the release of hormones that are shown to improve mood, increase self-confidence, and reduce feelings of anxiety. It also helps improve sleep which can be disrupted by stress.
Seasonal Depression: Exercise is a powerful way to fight seasonal depression, especially if you’re able to exercise in or near natural sunlight. Regular exercise can boost serotonin endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals.
Exercise Provides Structure: Start by making exercise a priority in your schedule. Keeping a regular exercise schedule will help you stay on track with food intake, sleep schedules, and provide structure so you can prioritize the demands of the holiday season.
Consistency is Key: Try not to take any weeks off during the holidays. A brisk walk with friends and family this holiday season can not only be enjoyable but is also beneficial for your health. Consistent physical activity helps improve cardiovascular health and boosts the immune system.
We spend a lot of time during the holidays caring for others, but it’s important to remember that we need to make time for ourselves too. Exercise is a great way to practice self-care. Have a plan to fit exercise into your schedule no matter how busy you are—doing a little bit is better than doing nothing. It might even be enjoyable to exercise with others this holiday season and spread the joy of a happy and healthy holiday season.
For more information on recommendations for exercise please visit the American College of Sports Medicine at www.acsm.org.
Westminster Village is a continuing care retirement community, located at 2025 East Lincoln Street in Bloomington. Celebrating life, our mission is to provide excellence in senior living through a continuum of care and services. For more information, contact us at 309-663-6474 or visit www.westminstervillageinc.com.