Living in the Midwest can be extremely difficult when we have Springs that feel more like late Fall and Summers that seem like they just may never arrive. As Chicagoans, we seem to endure the long, hard, windy Winters just to enjoy the fabulousness of Summer festivals, baseball games, walks along the water, and time on at the beach. As we wake up to another 40 degree day with spitting rain and wind that blows your hair all over the place, I am reminded that this can NOT last forever…right?!
When the weather has you feeling depressed there are some things that you can do to lift your spirits. One of the most beneficial things you can do for your mind and body is just take a walk. The exciting news is that you don’t have be an exercise freak working out every day for hours and hours…alittle bit can make a big difference in the way you feel. A 10 minute brisk walk can surprisingly relieve some symptoms of depression and anxiety right away. Psychologists studying exercise and mental health found that it was not the intensity of the workout that impacted one’s wellbeing. A 10 minute walk was compared to a 45 minute workout. Results indicated the walker felt less tense and energized right away, while the person that worked out felt tension lifted, it took a longer time for them to feel their burst of energy.
Challenge yourself to make your mental health and wellbeing a priority. Take a walk everyday and use the time to reflect on the positive things in your life. Maybe it is raining and 45 degrees, but what are the blessings that make you smile and feel thankful?
So, lift those spirits, get up and walk! If you decide to do it outside on one of these colder days, it will likely make you appreciate the warmer ones to come so much more!
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