January and February can be challenging months for many of us. The holidays are over, money might be tighter, daylight hours are limited, and the weather can be freezing (here in the PNW, anyway).
All year long we are inundated with reminders of diet culture, healthism, and fatphobia; and many companies, gyms, trendy diets, apps, and fitness influencers take advantage of New Year’s by encouraging us to buy into the “new year, new me” mindset that prioritizes weight and appearance over well-being and health. We commonly hear from clients still entrenched in a dieting mindset, proclaiming this year the year they finally lose weight and drop two clothing sizes.
We get it, we understand it can be hard to change life-long learned habits when it comes to talking about our bodies. If there’s one promise you make to yourself this new year, make it about committing to talking positively about your body and other people’s. It’s something we’ve been giving an increasing amount of thought to lately, especially being aware of who is listening when we talk about our bodies.
To empower future generations to feel strong and good about their bodies, it starts with the language we use and what they are exposed to. Remember that you are strong, powerful and important—and all of that is about so much more than how you look.
We also want to voice how important it is to step back or release yourself from any pressure you might feel to set huge goals or make any significant changes at this time of year. It’s been an undoubtedly hard start to the year—the unusually long deep freeze of the east and west coasts juxtaposed with the devastating fires of LA, not to mention the polarized political environment.
If you’re not feeling particularly inspired to enter your first athletic event or chase down an epic dream, that’s OK. For many people at the moment, it can be hard to feel enthused or inspired. If that’s the case, we get it, we’ve been there, and so have scores of others.
Here’s our best advice to help keep you in a healthy place:
- Incorporate as much strength training and higher-intensity workouts as you are able (meaning safely, and within your capabilities). The benefits extend way beyond your fitness and can impact your metabolic health, your mood, your brain health, and even your gut microbiome. This could be starting with some wall push ups, using resistance bands, or picking up the pace when you’re going up the stairs. Dedicating just 15 to 30 minutes to focused strength work can go really far to help!
- Try to get outside in daylight hours as much as possible, especially first thing in the morning and prior to sunset, ideally. If this isn’t possible, consider using a lightbox.
Read our previous blog on the importance of daylight on the circadian rhythm for mental health
- We are big fans of utilizing saunas (for those of you lucky to have access to one), especially when it’s cold outside and/or your mood is low, and the physical and mental health benefits are quite extensive.
- Do activities you love with people you love—that could be a beloved hike with a good friend, a dog walk with the family—any and all movement counts and it doesn’t need to be a highly structured workout.
However you are feeling about your health and body at this point in the new year, the providers here at Rooted Path are here to support you!