Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder to Maintain Your Exercise Routine

Have you ever made the connection between shorter, darker days and a distinct decrease in motivation? Well it may lift your spirits (somewhat) that this can be more than just cold weather blues. You could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). And this can have a pretty adverse effect on your workout routine.

Seasonal Affective Disorder isn't some flakey term for disliking winter. It's a recognized psychological condition, with symptoms ranging from persistent low mood, increased irritability, and a noticeable loss of interest in physical activity. A lot of it can be linked to diminishing daylight, which tanks the body's serotonin levels - a key hormone that influences mood and motivation. Add to that the disruption of your internal body clock (no one likes going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark) and an impact on your circadian rhythm, and you can be left with feelings of lethargy and depression.

See, the icy grip of winter does more than just numb your fingers, it puts a freeze on your motivation too. The lack of sunlight leads to a drop in Vitamin D levels, which is closely linked to mood regulation. Additionally, the cold, often overcast weather can make the idea of outdoor exercise seem less appealing, leading to a vicious cycle of reduced physical activity and declining mental health.

Now, while there are of course professional routes that you should absolutely explore, don’t forget you have a powerful ally right at your side: regular exercise. The trick is how to motivate yourself to get those endorphins pumping and counteract the effects of SAD. But how do you muster the will to workout when your brain is telling you to hibernate?