MAKE RECOVERY THE MAIN EVENT Beyond exercise, recovery deserves a place on your calendar, too. "Between holiday obligations, end-of-year deadlines, and the general hustle of the season, winter often brings a noticeable spike in stress," Dr. Smiley says. If you don't allow time to recover, this constant state of high alert can affect your immune system, raise your blood pressure, and disrupt your sleep. Recovery can take many forms, from sauna and massage to contrast therapy, mindfulness and simply prioritizing quality sleep. “Think of recovery as an oil change,” says Noel McGowen, massage therapist at Source Healing in Winnetka, Lake Forest, and downtown Chicago. "Once you find [what works for you], you realize your body needs this every month, if not more, to keep up with all the hard things you're doing." PROTECT YOUR PEACE Whether you're dealing with end-of-year school programs, social commitments, travel fatigue, or all three, you're probably feeling the effects both physically and mentally. One of the best ways to manage it? Mindful movement.
McKechnie agrees, noting that she works with her clients to incorporate "movement snacks" during especially busy times. "If you don't have the time or motivation for a full hour-long class, pick three 10-minute movement snacks. That could be a short walk up and down the office hallway, carrying groceries in a farmer's carry, or doing deadlifts when bending over to unload the dishwasher." Other small rituals that help reduce stress include a walk outdoors at midday, evening stretching, screentime boundaries, and intentional downtime. GIVE YOURSELF GRACE Winter on the North Shore can be a beautiful but busy time of year. Rather than trying to power through it, embrace the season by switching up your routine so you can set yourself up for a happy, healthy holiday season.
"A lot of times we think about stress only in relation to our mind, but the body holds a lot of that too," Johnson says. "Having the body be part of that release is an important part of relieving stress." She adds that even 15 minutes of movement at home is better than nothing. "I think of it like a tank of gas: if you're on empty, filling it up even a little still helps you get to the next spot."
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