Boost your energy with physical activity to beat end-of-year burnout
With the year winding down, there are thousands of people living in Canada feeling that end-of-year burnout. Stress caused from work, the pending holidays and everyday life can make the last few weeks of the year hard to manage, especially when it comes to mental health, as many adults feel more anxious, tired and depressed during what is supposed to be a festive season.
However, one of the best remedies for that end-of-year burnout (and a great way to naturally boost your energy) is to get your body moving and heart pumping – even in small bouts. You’ve heard it from us before, but it’s true: you can boost your mood, improve your energy levels and feel less stressed out just by getting active.
What does the science tell us?
It might seem backwards that expending energy through physical activity actually gives your body more energy, but the research backs it up.
A recent study found that people who regularly engage in physical activity (adults need 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity each week), on average, reported higher levels of energy than those who don’t. Even happier news? Getting your heart pumping and blood flowing promotes the release of feel-good chemicals (like endorphins) within the brain, boosting your energy and allowing you to feel upbeat. An added bonus: physical activity also helps reduce the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) circulating in the body.
If you’re looking to have more energy and beat the end-of-year burnout, get active and make physical activity a key part of your festive routine. Snowball fight, anyone? Making physical activity a part of your holiday routine is a lot easier and fun than you think.
And if getting pelted with balls of snow isn’t your thing, there are a ton of other fun ways to make sure you are getting active and maintaining the energy you require to take on what can be a very stressful time of year:
Take care of your body …
You don’t need fancy athletic equipment or an expensive online yoga class to get active. Throw a dance party while at home or build a snowperson in the yard with the fam. Every single active minute counts and will help you get the added kick of energy we could all use during this stressful time of year.
And your mind
While most of us are aware of what physical activity can do for their body, the impact it can have on our mental health is sometimes forgotten. As previously mentioned, when you get moving, your brain releases feel-good chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin), leaving you feeling positive and revitalized. Try some activities such as tai chi, yoga or Pilates as perfect ways to get moving while also focusing on breathing and stretching.
Re-connect with Mother Nature
Sure, you’re going to need the proper attire, but come on, we are a winter-loving nation after all, aren’t we? Embrace your inner Canuck and charge those batteries for a busy holiday season by hiking, going for a bike ride (snow tires on, of course) or even slap on skis and go cross-country skiing. Whatever activity you choose, it will help you keep your energy levels optimized and stress levels down so you can skip that end-of-year burnout!
