Oftentimes, winter is not seen as a good option to keep running, however, these five reasons will keep you motivated to go out there and enjoy even more benefits from running itself.
Feeling More Relaxed
According to a report in the Huffington Post, people don't feel as stuffy due to the relatively low humidity in winter and lower temperatures can be very refreshing. As the body works harder to stay warm, it produces more endorphins which give people a greater sense of well-being and relaxation after finishing even the same distance as in summer.
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Relieving Seasonal Affective Disorder
People become highly susceptible to SAD in winter, a condition that experts believe may have something to do with the lack of sunlight, as it is more common in areas above 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south. As the name suggests, people who suffer from this condition often become depressed and lose interest in doing anything. But with the exception of a few very serious patients who need professional help, most people with mild symptoms can be cured by self-regulation. And there is no better way to do this than running outdoors. Just as a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology says: “Those who exercised outside reported feeling more energized, less depressed, and more motivated to continue exercising.”
Losing More Weight
The human body tends to slow down metabolism and store a lot of fat during the winter. That’s why running comes in handy, especially the morning jog, it will increase your metabolic rate throughout the day. According to an article in the New York Times Magazine, there are brown and white fat cells in our body, and the former burns fat for energy, especially in cold weather. What's more, exercise can help convert normal white fat cells into brown ones, contributing to greater weight loss eventually.
Further Strengthening Your Heart
Cold weather makes the heart work harder to pump blood, not only to supply oxygen to the muscles but also to maintain body temperature. Be aware that if you have a heart problem, winter running can be problematic! But if you're a healthy, active runner, it will strengthen your heart, help you cope with the higher intensity of your future workouts, and may even make it easier to cope with other stresses in life.
Helping You to Slow Down
Thanks to the cold weather and the complex road conditions (snow and ice), winter jogging can teach you to enjoy running itself. Instead of trying to push your limits to accelerate, you can finally slow down and concentrate. In addition, muscles not normally used before are activated now to keep your balance.
In fact, if you don't enjoy running, then you may probably be able to come up with dozens of reasons why you shouldn’t do so in less than a few seconds even if it's not winter, but if you are crazy about running, then maybe winter is the best season of the year!