The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, it can also bring increased stress and anxiety from all the hustle and bustle of preparations, social obligations, extended family visits, and societal pressure to make everything perfect. Effective stress management is crucial during this time, and one of the best ways to manage these feelings is by keeping up with your gym routine. We know this time of year is hard and schedules are going bonkers, but it’s so important to stay active with your normal routine this time of year so you can help yourself stay calm and enjoy the holidays to their fullest!
Here are our 6 favorite reasons you want to keep your gym time on the calendar this holiday season:
- Boosts Mood and Energy Levels
CrossFit and its unique combination of strength training and metabolic conditioning are excellent mood boosters. When you participate in high-intensity workouts, your body releases endorphins (“feel-good” hormones). These chemicals interact with receptors in your brain to reduce your perceptions of pain, trigger positive feelings in the body, and help you feel calm and happy. Consistent physical activity also increases your energy levels throughout the day, helping you tackle all those holiday tasks and activities with less fatigue.
- Reduces Stress Hormones
Physical activity is research-proven to help lower the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. By attending CrossFit classes consistently, you’ll be working to build muscle and increase cardiorespiratory conditioning, both of which can keep these hormones in check—along with your feelings of stress and anxiety. This is especially beneficial during the holiday season when stress levels are typically higher than at other points of the year.
- Improves Sleep Quality
Good quality sleep is essential for managing stress and anxiety, preventing overindulgence with food or alcohol, and keeping you calm amidst all the pressures of the holiday season. A great workout that combines weight training and metabolic conditioning can help regulate your circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. A well-rested body and mind are better equipped to handle the demands of the holiday season, from late-night parties to early-morning shopping sprees to travel and extended visits with family and friends.
- Provides a Healthy Distraction
The holidays can sometimes bring up difficult emotions or memories. Making it into the gym for a workout can offer a positive distraction, allowing you to focus on something that’s fun, productive, and health-promoting! Whether it’s a challenging WOD (Workout of the Day) or a new personal best on your favorite lift, making time for a workout can help clear your mind and provide a sense of accomplishment. And that consistency will even prevent those feelings of having to start completely over when the new year begins!
- Encourages Stress-Free Social Interaction
Group workouts enhance your overall well-being! One of the most beloved things about CrossFit is its sense of community. A class full of other people all doing the same workout together creates both an automatic sense of camaraderie and some friends to high five when it’s all over. Many people find that working out with friends is a great way to stay motivated, connected, and helps you turn your mind off family, work, and other obligations for a little while. These interactions have been shown to help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, allow you to take a beat away when you need it, and have a part of your day that’s completely for you, all of which can help you alleviate the pressures of the holiday season.
- Promotes Mindfulness and Focus
CrossFit requires concentration and focus, which helps you stay present, mindful, and in the moment. Our workouts demand attention to form, technique, breathing, and rep counts which can help you stay grounded and limit your tendency to worry about the next thing on your To-Do list. That forced mindfulness through exercise is a powerful tool that helps you build mental resiliency no matter what time of year it is.
At the end of the day, we get it. This season is the busiest and most demanding of our time, energy, focus, and patience, but it’s also the most wonderful time of the year! And it can be easier on you when you keep your schedule as normal as possible. Maintaining your workout routine during the holiday season isn’t just about staying in shape or preventing those holiday pounds from finding you; it’s about taking care of your mental and emotional health as much as your physical. By staying active, you’ll boost your mood, reduce stress, improve sleep, and enjoy the holidays with a calmer, more positive mindset. So, grab those weights that have been collecting dust in your garage, head to the gym, or join our CrossFit community—your body and mind will thank you!
Happy holidays and happy training! 🎄💪😊 If you’re new to the BGB Community, visit our website https://bgbcrossfit.com/ and schedule a meeting with one of our coaches to find out how our programs can help you start a workout habit this holiday season!
References:
Exercise can boost your memory and thinking skills – Harvard Health
Exercising for Better Sleep | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Exercise & Stress: https://academic.oup.com/abm/article/51/6/799/4648577
