Staying Active Throughout the Silly Season

Jingle bells are ringing, and we are well and truly into the silly season. Depending on your circumstances, you might be looking forward to a well deserved break and special festivities, or even excited for this busy time of year to be over and done with. Regardless of which side of the fence you are sitting on, exercise may be one of the last things on your mind at this time of year. But let me challenge you to consider why this time of year might be a great time to get in some quality activity.

Christmas shopping
Unless you completely organised (and for that I congratulate you), most of us are going to be spending some more time in the shopping centres than usual. Shops are actually a great place to get some walking in – the ground is flat, it’s safe, and it’s airconditioned! Challenge yourself to do an extra loop or walk a little bit faster to get the blood pumping through your body.

Your typical routine or schedule is mixed up:
Whether you have a break from work, have kids home on school holidays, or are spending time catching up with family or friends, it’s likely that your ‘typical’ routine will be mixed up to some degree. This means that it is a good opportunity to try something new, something fun, something you might have always wanted to do but haven’t had the opportunity.

Spending time with loved ones:
Having lots of Christmas catch ups and events might interrupt your usual exercise schedule, but it’s actually a great opportunity to get your family and friends involved in your active behaviours. Go for walks with your loved ones in beautiful locations or try a new activity with them. Make your get-togethers in a park where you can all get some fresh air and incidental activity. These are just some of many ways you can spread healthy habits to others around you.

This time of year often leads to reflections and goal setting for the next chapter. Take the pressure off yourself by going head first in the new year with some healthy activity habits that you can maintain and build upon as the year progresses. This will be so much easier for you than starting from scratch.

Tamika Hassum – Accredited Exercise Physiologist