The simplest way to boost your mood this winter.
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It’s been a LONG winter - it started early and it’s been intense! Many of my patients are feeling that impact in their mood: feeling low, unmotivated, and burnt out. While we know there is an end in sight, I want you to feel supported while you’re in it too!
One of the most important things in my mind to support you is to plan for movement.
It’s the time of year where your day to day movement gets limited. You’re parking as close as you possibly can to the grocery store, you’re driving to places you might normally walk, and you’re hunkered down cozy on the couch at night watching the Olympics.
Movement is SO beneficial for your mood and it doesn’t take a lot to see the benefit. But we need to PLAN for it because when you’re feeling low, burnt out or unmotivated; you don’t want to do it.
It doesn’t need to be a long workout for it to be effective for your mood!
A quick walk around the block, 1 minute of burpees, 5 minutes on a bike, or 5 minutes of stretching and breathing can all provide a nice mood boost. Getting out for a long walk or driving to the gym may feel like too much effort if you’re feeling low and unmotivated.
What matters the most is to schedule it in and to keep it really easy and accessible in terms of the commitment of time and energy. We want it to be short with few obstacles in the way. Something you can do quickly before getting dressed in the morning, or at lunch in less than 15 minutes, or right after work.
I’m a big fan of just searching on YouTube “10 minute spin HIIT” or something similar. We don’t want you to need to THINK about what movements to do - that’s too much brain energy if you don’t have it. I’ll choose a 5 - 15 minute option for myself depending on what I have time for and do that quickly before a shower in the morning. FitOn also has an app where you can filter for something short.
The key is to make it:
Short - your brain will find long too overwhelming
Easy - driving and equipment (like winter gear) make things harder, too much intensity makes things harder
Use inertia - it’s easier to do movement when you’re in the motion of your day, once you’ve lounged on the couch after work it can be hard to get up
Scheduled - when left to chance it usually happens when you’re feeling well, but not when you probably need it most!
As the weather gets nice, you may find you inherently get more active and then may not need to be so intentional. But right now if you’re feeling low, I’d recommend scheduling 5 minutes a day for a movement mood boost!
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, naturopathic doctor, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.
Hi, I’m Dr. Janine, ND
I’m a Naturopathic Doctor currently practicing in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
I truly believe that our enjoyment of life is closely tied to how we feel physically. When we’re healthy, we can take on anything. But when we feel off, even the simplest tasks become overwhelming. I’ve been through hormonal shifts, sleepless nights as a parent, and the stress of balancing everything. But I also know that with the right strategy, we can go from surviving to thriving—and create a healthy, thriving family in the process.
I look forward to meeting you soon.
- Dr. Janine, ND
Follow me on social media, @dr.janine.nd