Winter can be a challenging season for many of us, with shorter days, colder temperatures, and reduced sunlight taking a toll on mood and energy levels. However, there are plenty of ways to stay vibrant and positive during the colder months.
Here are 8 healthy activities to help you boost your mood and energy this winter – and a few of them are right here in the Niagara region:
1. Embrace Outdoor Adventures
Don’t let the cold keep you indoors. Based on your fitness level, activities like walking, hiking, or snowshoeing can help you stay active while enjoying the beauty of winter landscapes. Exposure to natural light during the day also helps regulate your circadian rhythm and boosts serotonin levels, improving mood.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Niagara with Nature Girl Expeditions. Their Women’s Only offerings include guided winter hikes or snowshoeing, followed by a wine tasting. Book early as these popular events sell out every winter!
Or, just get out there and enjoy the trails with the Bruce Trail Club’s Niagara chapter, offering local walks and hikes for everyone.
BONUS: Soak up the sun! Sunlight is scarce during winter, but even a short exposure can make a difference.
2. Try a New Indoor Workout
If venturing outside isn’t always an option, explore indoor fitness and maybe try something new. Yoga, pilates, dance classes, or other group workout programs can help you stay physically active and maintain energy levels.
Niagara’s Zen House Yoga Studio offers a range of yoga classes, and so much more – including Belly Dance lessons!
BONUS: Isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness during the winter months. Stay connected by engaging in community activities to foster a sense of belonging.
3. Support Your Immune System with Halotherapy
Halotherapy, or salt therapy is relatively new in North America but has been a part of European health rituals for centuries. It is thought to improve immunity by boosting lung health, relieving stress, and thereby improving resilience against common colds in winter. Niagara has its own halotherapy centre at the Healing Salt Cave in Niagara Falls.
BONUS: the salt therapy room is a cosy way to spend time on a snowy afternoon!
4. Get Acupuncture Treatments
January is an excellent time to look ahead and plan out your appointments with acupuncture and other providers in your circle of care team. Think of getting regular acupuncture somewhat like exercise – the more frequently you can get treatments, the greater the positive effects on body and mind.
5. Meditation with Sound
If meditating does not come easily to you – try a Sound Bath experience instead. Sound Therapy is designed to help your body and mind relax, and gently recalibrate.
Veronica King is a certified Sound Therapy Practitioner offering a local Karma Sound Bath in Niagara Falls this January. All proceeds from this event will go to Hospice Niagara.
Karma Sound Bath: Sunday 19th Jan 2025, at Zen House Yoga Studio
Space is limited and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
BONUS: Enjoy a deeply soothing Sound Bath, while your event fee benefits Hospice Niagara.
6. Get Creative
Winter is an excellent time to explore hobbies and creative outlets. Try painting, knitting, writing, or learning a new skill. Engaging in creative activities can enhance your mood and provide a sense of accomplishment.
7. Hydrate to Stay Healthy
It’s easy to forget about hydration when it’s cold outside, but drinking enough fluid is essential for maintaining energy levels. Herbal teas are an excellent way to stay hydrated and cozy in cold weather – and certain herbs may help boost your immune system.
Whether you’re just looking for a quality herbal tea or more of a remedy for pain relief, stress, or sleep – step into the local Niagara Medicinal Herbs shop and check out their custom formulations and fully stocked herbal apothecary.
8. Prioritize Sleep this Winter
The darker, longer nights can be an opportunity to improve your sleep routine. New research shows that sleep is the time for the brain’s glymphatic system to do its work – essentially the time our body needs to clean the brain! Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night by keeping a consistent bedtime, cool and dark bedroom, avoiding screens before bed, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.
Trouble sleeping soundly? Book in with me for a free call to see if acupuncture may be of help here.
Final Thoughts
Winter doesn’t have to be a season of low energy and mood. By incorporating these healthy activities into your routine, you can stay positive, energized, and thriving through the colder months. Remember, small steps can make a big difference—choose one or two activities to start with and build from there. Stay warm, stay active, and enjoy the beauty of winter!
REFERENCES
Sound therapy induced relaxation: down regulating stress processes and pathologies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12761468/
Halotherapy for Chronic Respiratory Disorders: From the Cave to the Clinicalhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32827399/
The Sleeping Brain: Harnessing the Power of the Glymphatic System through Lifestyle Choices https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7698404/
