The Winter Blues

January can be a very difficult time! After a month of hustle and bustle making everything perfect for the holidays, we find ourselves in a moment of gloom with our arms crossed, a lot of spare time, and financially broke. This is the time to reflect on what can improve our mental health. While many seek out hobbies or new adventures, there’s one thing that can help us all at a very low cost! Exercise is so crucial to our mental and physical health. It allows us to defeat our setbacks and hardships with an escape from the real world for a moment in time. Exercise works to release those endorphins, which are the neurotransmitters used to improve mood and release stress. If we don’t take the time for our mind and body that is needed, we sure can’t help the ones we love. Take the opportunity to rise above this season that seems to take us down. Love yourself enough to improve you! The journey can be challenging at first, but before long you will have an addiction to something that’s positive and life changing. So here are some tips you will want to keep in mind as you begin your journey…

• Set a daily time that’s easy for your schedule & make it the same for the first month-this will help you adjust!

• Respond to invites only when it does NOT interfere with your gym time.

• Only use your phone for music-otherwise when that first “ding” comes through with texts or emails, you will become totally distracted and probably chat more than work.

• Start out slow and gradually increase your time and effort.

• Focus on progress…not what you haven’t been able to achieve at the moment.

• Last and most importantly, the times you feel the worst, HIT THE GYM!! These are the times you need it most!

Many times, people make New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are great this time of year and so awesome when you are working to achieve a better “you.” Honestly, resolutions can be made any day at any time. So, if you find yourself slacking (so to speak) or even already quit, pick it back up and start again. The most important thing to realize is that as you begin your journey, it is not just a resolution…it’s a lifestyle, a lifestyle that could change your future!

For more information on various physical activity programs, please contact the UT Extension office @ 931-796-3091.

The University of Tennessee offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. UT extension offers equal opportunities in programs and employment