Hygge Exercise: How it Can Help During Winter

"In the wintertime, it is easy to feel stuck inside. And while it can be hyggeligt to relax with your book & a cup of tea, it is even more hyggeligt after you have spent a day in the snow. So gather a group of people and head for the hills."~ Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge

"When you're exercising with a hygge mindset, you should make sure it's pleasant. 'It's walks in nature (with loved ones adds extra hygge), relaxing bike rides through pretty scenery, dancing with your partner, hikes with picnics, and for some people even going for a run is meditation for them,' she says. 'Being outside in general is a great way to be more hygge while exercising. Really appreciating nature for what it is—stopping to smell the roses, as they say.'" ~Pia Edberg, The Cozy Life

The most important way to hygge exercise is to choose to move in ways that bring you joy. And of course that's your best chance of continuing to do it, they say.

But knowing all of that was usually not enough to get me moving during winter.

Is that true for you, too, at times? At a time when becoming one with the couch seems like a good idea, how do you get yourself moving?

For me, it takes determination. That's what I have to feed.

Are you determined yet? If not, Google and then, read more about the power of exercise to create feel-good chemicals and improve mood.

But once you are determined, choose something that is easy for you & feels good when you do it.

For me, easy is jumping on my rebounder. I don't even have to leave the house. Other homebodies, can I get an amen?

But feels good, for me, is dancing. And sometimes, they merge.

My mom, who is in her 80s, walks around her house for half an hour several days a week & goes to chair yoga class once a week.

What kind of movement feels good to you? What is it, that once you were doing it, would make you glad you did?

Now, whatever you just thought of, keep it in your mind for a minute and imagine it making winter better. What would that look & feel like for you? Stay there for another minute or two, just seeing it unfold.

Making a commitment to "exercise more" has rarely worked for me. Does it work for you? It was always something else, like looking better in my clothes or having more energy, losing weight, even. But "exercise is good for you" was never enough by itself.

If that resonates with you, try making a commitment to your winter blues plan first. Then decide if exercise is going to need to be part of that plan.

If so, then you just have to find a way to make it fun. Or create rewards.

Many years ago now, the gym I went to was right across the street from a Boston Market. And February was rough. So I bribed myself.

I set it up so that during the week, a friend would join me and we'd talk the whole time. On the weekends, though, if I went to the gym, I got to go through the drive-thru, and order whatever I wanted.

What would work for you?

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine