Winter running blues

As the (very) cold months come upon me, my schedule has also shifted and now I’m running maybe once a week, if I’m lucky.

My duvet calls to me now that it’s colder, and I’m working hours that I’m not used to. Sleep is my new favorite activity.

I can see where this is going: a winter slump. Oversleeping, overeating, withdrawal from friends-seasonal mood changes happen to tons of us in the winter season and I’m definitely prone to it.

This is why I think it’s even more important than ever to realize these mood changes and stop them before falling into a funk.

Forcing yourself outside is a good tip that I found. Even though it’s super chilly, I try to take advantage of sunny days when they come. It not only provides me a mood boost the day of, but I find the benefits can take me through the week as well. I throw on my hot pink not-meant-for-running toque, which always makes me laugh, and head out in the cold with some mittens for a short jog.

Also, I find that since I’m not sweating as much or feeling hot in general, I’ve been getting even less thirsty. Not just throughout my runs and workouts am I drinking less, I’m drinking less throughout the day too.

Staying hydrated is important and according to Men’s Health, “people are more susceptible to dehydration in cold weather,” since our body reacts different in cold weather. The article also suggests warming up with decaffeinated tea or hot apple cider to get stay hydrated.

Lastly, I decided I need to get my butt in gear and actually get up when my alarm goes off. Waking up earlier helps you get some sun which in turn will cheer you up. I get up, turn on my light, and leave my room as quickly as possible to avoid the duvet regret of sleeping two more hours.

Running when it’s sunny out is so much more fun. And, it also helps me relax and not feel like I might slip on some black ice, which I seem to have developed this strange fear of, after I slipped with hot chocolate and ruined a white coat in Grade 8. I definitely want to avoid ripping my running pants, so earlier runs seem like the most practical choice.

How do you beat the winter running blues?