Fight the Winter Blues - 5 Micro-Exercises to Help Boost Your Mood

It doesn’t take a specialist to tell you that the weather can affect your mood. When the temperature gets low, and those holiday bills start piling up high, things can get a little gloomy. But fear not! There are some scientifically proven ways to lift your spirits, whether you want to perk up, calm down or just feel happier in general, exercise is sure to lighten your mood and has been proven to do so.

Here are 5 micro-exercises to do to help boost your mood:

1. Yoga

Yoga can help you feel strong and centred with the added benefits of improving your sleep and releasing stress. There are numerous yoga apps that you can download to get some quick moves to do at your desk, in your home, or just about anywhere. You can practise yoga for any amount of time and it can easily fit in to your normal daily routine. 

2. Jumping jacks

You’ve probably been doing jumping jacks since you were in school, but did you know that they can quickly increase your heart rate and get more oxygen to your brain? They also burn fat and strengthen your muscles. Get up from your desk, do 10, 20 or 50, and then walk around to let your heart rate come down, and go back to work. This will help you to feel more alert and focused. 

3. Take the stairs 

If you work in an office with a few floors, then this is the perfect micro-exercise for you! Get up from your desk and run up and down the stairs a few times. The stairway of an office is usually pretty quiet so it will also give you a chance to get away from everything and help to regain your focus.

4. Go for a walk

Walking is a great and easy way to wake you up and enhance your well-being. Even a 5 minute walk can have you feeling better straight away. If you can get outside for a walk, take a quick trip around the block and you’ll feel better in no time. If you can’t get outside, simply walk around the area you’re in or to another department. Walking can also reduce stress and boost your mood.

 5. Clean something

It sounds weird, but cleaning your work area or general area can actually make you feel better. Take everything off the desk and wipe it down. If you have a home office, vacuum, or clean up the kitchen or bathroom. It will get you moving and take your mind off whatever is stressing you out. The best thing about a quick clean is you’ll actually be glad to get back to the desk!

Hilary is a Wellness Advisor at Optimity. She graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. in Human Kinetics. She aims to empower others to live their healthiest and happiest lives. Her interests are swimming, hiking and hanging out with friends and family. Wellness is a big part of her life and she hopes to make it a part of others.