Winter Wellness - Switch up your Workout Routines (or try something new)

Winter has a way of changing our energy. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and quieter routines often call for a softer approach to movement. Instead of forcing ourselves to maintain the same workouts we rely on the rest of the year, winter offers an opportunity to listen more closely and adjust how we care for our bodies.

Switching up your workout routine—or trying something entirely new—can support both physical and mental wellness during the colder months. Variety keeps movement interesting, engages different muscles, and helps prevent burnout, while gentler or more creative practices can better match the season’s slower pace.

Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Change Things Up

Movement in winter doesn’t have to be about pushing harder. In fact, studies show that consistent, moderate movement supports immune function, mood regulation, and energy levels—especially during seasons when we may feel more sluggish or disconnected.

Trying new forms of movement can also stimulate the brain, boost motivation, and create a sense of novelty when routines feel stale. Winter invites us to explore practices that emphasize warmth, strength, flexibility, and mindful attention.

Gentle Ways to Move Through Winter

• Try yoga or slow flow practices - Winter is an ideal time for yoga styles that emphasize grounding, stretching, and breath. Slow flow, restorative, or yin yoga help maintain mobility while calming the nervous system. These practices support circulation, joint health, and stress reduction without overexertion.

• Explore strength training at a slower pace - Strength training can be especially supportive in winter, helping maintain muscle mass, bone density, and overall stability. Shorter, intentional strength sessions—using bodyweight, resistance bands, or light weights—can feel more accessible and sustainable than high-intensity workouts.

• Take your workout outside (when weather allows - A winter walk or hike offers movement, fresh air, and mental clarity all at once. Even brief time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood. Dressing warmly and moving mindfully can turn a simple walk into a powerful wellness practice.

• Try something creative or playful - Movement doesn’t have to look like a traditional workout. Dancing in your living room, ice skating, snowshoeing, or even playful stretching can reconnect you with joy and curiosity. These forms of movement often feel less like exercise and more like nourishment.

Indoor Wellness Practices for Cold Days

• Add meditation or breathwork - Pairing movement with meditation supports mental clarity and emotional balance. Even five to ten minutes of mindful breathing can help regulate stress and improve focus.

• Explore Pilates or core-focused practices - Core strength supports posture, balance, and overall body awareness. Pilates-style movements are often gentle yet effective and can be done comfortably indoors.

• Warm up with functional movement - Simple mobility exercises—such as gentle squats, shoulder rolls, or spinal twists—help maintain joint health and circulation, especially when we’re spending more time seated.

• 
  

Listen to Your Body, Not the Calendar

Winter wellness is about adaptability. Some days call for movement that energizes; others call for rest or gentleness. There is no single “right” way to move through winter—only what feels supportive in your body at this moment.

By switching up your routine or exploring something new, you create space for curiosity, resilience, and balance. Movement becomes less about obligation and more about care.

Winter reminds us that wellness doesn’t disappear when things slow down—it simply takes a different shape.

I invite you to join me for a meditation or breathwork series where you’ll learn practical tools you can use in everyday life, or step outside with me for a nature immersion that brings those practices into the natural world.