by G3 Therapist, Talar Bagdasarian
Winter has a way of making us feel a little more sluggish, isolated, and weighed down more than usual – both physically and emotionally. With shorter days and colder weather, it’s easy to fall into a slower rhythm that impacts our mood and motivation. But our mind and body are deeply connected, and moving our bodies isn’t just good for our physical health, but also plays a powerful role in boosting our mood, energy, and emotional regulation. Even in the cold months, our bodies – and our brains – benefit from staying active.
Moving our bodies has a powerful impact on our mental health. Some benefits of physical activity include:
– Boosts Mood and Reduces Stress by releasing endorphins and lowering cortisol helps improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
– Supports emotional regulation by activating brain regions associated with problem solving, attention, and maintaining emotional balance.
– Provides structure, which can be helpful during winter months when days may feel long, repetitive, or unmotivating.
– Achieving movement goals – even small ones – builds self-confidence and motivation which can enhance overall self-efficacy and a sense of accomplishment.
It certainly isn’t easy to get our bodies moving in the cold, dark winter months.
It’s super common to feel stuck, depressed, and overly tired. Remember, movement doesn’t have to be intense or time-consuming! There are creative ways that we can move our bodies during this time:
Indoor Options
– Do a 5-minute stretch
– Fun family dance parties
– Youtube yoga, pilates, or walking workouts
– Cleaning or reorganizing a room
– Indoor workout classes – Barre, Boxing, Spin, Rock Climbing
– Walking around a mall
Outdoor Options
– Nature walks (if it isn’t too snowy or freezing)
– Ice skating, sledding, snowball fights
– Shoveling with music playing
Social Movement
– Movement challenges with friends or family (step goals, taking a class together)
– Family/Friend Game Night
Therapy-based Movement
– Mindful movement: slow stretching, breathwork
– Movement Jars: write different activities on slips of paper and pick one daily
Movement doesn’t need to be perfect, long, or intense. You know your body best! Honor your energy levels, even small movements support mental health.
Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. This week, try to choose one winter movement idea to try and notice the difference in your body and mind. Stay warm!