The days are short and dark. It’s hard to have the energy to last throughout the day, let alone workout or exercise. However, it’s really important that you exercise in the Winter even though it can be hard. Here are 5 fantastic reasons why you should exercise in the Winter.

Reasons Why You Should Exercise in the Winter

More Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for your bones and your overall health. Since the Winter has limited sunlight, it’s important that you try to soak up some vitamin D while it’s light outside. Getting outside and doing some simple exercises can help your body get all the vitamin D it needs. Make sure you bundle up because it’ll probably be really cold. Building a snowman or having a snowball fight can be great exercise and it’s a lot of fun too! 

Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

There are lots of holidays in the Winter with excellent food. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are all famous for stuffing yourself with all sorts of fancy treats. It’s really easy to put on a couple of pounds during the Winter because of excess eating and lack of outdoor exercise. Although putting on a couple of extra pounds isn’t the end of the world, it can be a significant enough gain to where it’s difficult to lose. When you exercise in the Winter, you’ll combat holiday weight gain and maintain a healthy lifestyle altogether. Plus you’ll still be able to enjoy all the treats you love. 

Fight Winter Blues

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect many people. The lack of vitamin D and sunlight can make people feel sluggish, lethargic, and depressed. Exercise in the Winter is a great way to fight SAD and help keep you in a better mood. You’ll get more vitamin D and fresh air which will increase energy and elevate any depressed moods. As little as 30 minutes a day can help make your entire day feel better. 

Stay Warm

When you exercise in the Winter, it keeps your body’s temperature elevated which will keep you warmer when it’s cold outside. Instead of plugging in your heater when you’re feeling a little chilly just jump into a workout to get yourself warmed up. You’ll save money on electricity and you’ll be taking care of your body. It doesn’t take long for your body to start to heat up when you exercise. So layer up when you first start, then take off layers as needed. Chances are you’ll be really hot by the time you’re all done. 

Boost Your Immune System

Exercise is good for your body, no matter what time of the year you do it. However, exercise in the Winter might have more of a benefit for you. Since cold and flu viruses spread quicker during the Winter, it’s important to keep up a regular exercise routine to make your immune system strong. Exercise makes your blood pump faster which helps immune cells to circulate more quickly to kill infections or harmful bacteria. These beneficial effects only last for a couple of hours after you exercise so regular exercise is really important for immune system benefits. 

Summing Up

There are many reasons why you should exercise in the Winter but these 5 are some of the best. Try to exercise in the Winter to see health benefits all year round. You’ll have a stronger immune system, more energy, an elevated mood, more vitamin D, and fight holiday weight gain. Who wouldn’t want that?