Five Reasons to Do Yoga this Winter

Winter may not inspire you to work out, but a little yoga never hurt anyone.

I know that cold weather makes you want to do nothing more than curl up with a good book, a fluffy blanket, and a gallon of ice cream, but if you do that all winter you will likely regret it come spring.

I am not one of those militant fitness addicts that push through my winter malaise by running 9 miles every day, but I do make an effort to maintain some kind of regular exercise during the winter months for my mental health, if nothing else.

Obviously being stuck indoors greatly affects the types of exercise you can engage in during the colder months, but yoga is always a good option, for the following reasons:

Yoga keeps you warm. Especially hot yoga, like Vinyasa tends to get your blood flowing really well, and the flexibility is great for your joints, blood circulation, and energy levels.

READ MORE: How to Stay Warm During Winter Workouts

Yoga helps fight stress and seasonal depression. The stress relieving effects of yoga are well proven, and since winter tends to bring seasonal depression with it, yoga is a great way to stay happy, and fight extra stress, which leads to food cravings and winter weight gain. It also helps you sleep better.

Yoga is great for your immune system. Since the flu will likely be going around, a little yoga might just be the boost your immunity needs.

Yoga gives you energy. Winter tends to make people feel lazy and sluggish, but regular yoga helps increase your body’s energy level throughout the day.

Yoga is great for groups. Winter also tends to make us want to hibernate by ourselves, but yoga is a great way to get some friends together and do something truly mood-elevating together.

If you are looking for a simple way to stay in shape this winter, give yoga a try! Your spring body will thank you!