Seasonality Part II

Move

Feb 4

Missed my first post about seasonality? Catch up here.

Last time I talked about seasonality, it was the summer time. I was THRILLED with the gorgeous pictures I had of colorful salads and farmers’ market produce. Now, it’s the beginning of February. I don’t like the cold, I don’t like waking up in the dark, and I feel like I’m dragging… so I want to remind you, and myself, of the benefits of living in the season!

So this week, let’s talk about the benefits of seasonal play and movement.

Though the farmers’ market isn’t nearly as abundant this time of year, I do sometimes like the creativity that comes with limited options. I cook with potatoes, brussels sprouts, and winter squash, and I’ve even tried picking up a few new veggies (anyone have any good celeriac recipes??). Plus, I love making soup, and this is the time of year where for me, soup is a key part of my weekly meal prep.

For me, movement in the winter is much harder. It is difficult to want to get outside for a long walk. Right now, I’m under a blanket on my couch, with my dog asleep on my feet, and it’s already looking pretty dark out there. Plus, it’s been raining/snowing/sleeting for two days, nonstop. To be honest, a walk didn’t happen yesterday, and it probably isn’t going to happen today either. I’m much more likely to meet a friend for a coffee than a hike, and I’m tempted to take the extra time to find the closest possible parking spot to my destination, so my non-exercise movement is down, too.

My personal goal for the next month is to bring some creativity to my movement, the same way that I do for my winter meals. In the picture above, I’m cross-country skiing for the first - and last - time in my life, but I loved it! So, I’m thinking I should go more often. I’d certainly be more excited to do that than to take my usual hour-long walk around the block.

Of course, maybe this isn’t your personal season for creativity. Maybe you just don’t have the bandwidth to try out new exercise, particularly something like cross-country skiing that requires specialized equipment. Or maybe you don’t have the energy to go exploring - ease is the name of the game right now. This is when we want to link up the season of the year with our personal season. Make movement decisions that make sense for you right now. When the snow starts to thaw, you can always reevaluate.

Here are a few ways to move with your season, even when that season is a long winter:

Bundle Up

I know, I know - you didn’t need me to tell you that. But don’t underestimate the power of appropriate clothing to make winter activities a LOT more fun. If you have the means, a good coat and pair of boots will last a long time, and be worth it on those winter walks! Bonus points if you bring a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate with you.

Eliminate Friction

This is true of ANY habit you want to build - make it as easy as you possibly can. When it comes to winter walks, for me, the friction is getting out the door. I’d much rather leave the house once for 45 minutes or an hour and then be able to take my coat off for good when I come inside. But some women I work with HATE being outside too long in the cold - so they’re working on fitting in a couple of 15 minute walks each day, to minimize the time outside and maximize their movement.

Don’t Forget Alternatives

Skating, skiing, sledding - there are a ton of winter activities that can be fun AND involve movement! If you’ve got those good boots from tip #1, you may even enjoy a winter hike. If the cold is just. Not. Working, find yourself another option. If you have access to a treadmill, or even a nearby mall, you can get a walk in while you’re indoors.