In the northern hemisphere, September means autumn is on its way and summer is winding down. The days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are starting to drop. While you may have been exercising in the warm and long summer days, exercising during autumn has its own unique benefits.
Autumn Weather
Autumn’s cooler temperatures and crisper air are ideal for exercising. Your workouts will feel more comfortable. The air feels fresher and cleaner since the humidity is lower and there is less pollen. In many parts of the world, autumn brings stunning foliage and vibrant colors, creating an inspiring and uplifting environment for exercising outdoors. Enjoying nature’s beauty while walking, running, hiking, or cycling can make exercise feel less like a chore and more enjoyable. Being in nature, surrounded by fall foliage, can significantly improve your mood and motivation.
Autumn tends to have more predictable weather conditions, making planning your workouts or outdoor activities easier. The weather also provides a refreshing break from the heat, which can help rejuvenate your enthusiasm for outdoor activities. It’s an ideal season to try new activities or to switch up your routine, minimizing feelings of fatigue and burnout.
An Immunity System Booster
One of the many benefits of exercising is it boosts your immune system. It helps circulate white blood cells and antibodies that fight infections. Exercising helps increase the flow of these cells around your body more efficiently. It also helps reduce inflammation in the body, which improves immune functions.
Stress can also reduce your immune response, and exercise can reduce stress levels to help keep your immune system balanced and better equipped to focus on infections.
Exercising in autumn has a unique perspective as it can enhance your immune system and prepare for the winter cold and flu season. By consistently exercising and getting plenty of rest during the autumn, your body will be ready to fight infections. As a result, you may have less severe symptoms or fight them off altogether.
Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that can affect your mood, energy level, sleep, and overall well-being. It often peaks when there is less natural light, which tends to happen in autumn and winter. When there is less sunlight, it can disrupt your sleeping patterns and your mood. As a result, you may feel more fatigued and experience mood swings.
Regular exercise stimulates various brain chemicals that can make you happier, more relaxed, and less anxious. It can also increase your brain’s sensitivity to serotonin and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that can relieve feelings of depression. Furthermore, exercise can increase the production of endorphins that can help produce positive feelings.
As the days get shorter, exercising outside in autumn can expose you to natural light, which helps regulate your mood and circadian rhythm. Even daylight on a cloudy day can boost Vitamin D and serotonin production, reducing or alleviating symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
More Energy For Your Workouts
Heat can quickly sap your energy and force you to go easier or shorten your workouts. Autumn is the perfect time to take advantage of the weather and break some of your personal records. Some autumn activities like raking leaves and apple picking can inject some much-needed variety to help reinvigorate you.
Seasonal change can help break your daily grind. Autumn is an opportunity to get outside to exercise or do other activities that can help decrease your stress. When you’re less stressed, you’re more likely to be more energetic and motivated.
Burn More Calories
When exercising on cooler autumn days, your body has to work harder to maintain its core temperature. As a result, your body requires extra calories to keep you warm during physical activity and rest. Additionally, your risk of overheating and dehydration is reduced, so you may be able to exercise longer and engage in higher-intensity workouts more than you did during the summer.
The combination of cooler temperatures, body heat regulation, and the opportunity to engage in more intense or prolonged workouts helps increase the overall calories burned during exercise. Autumn provides a unique opportunity to maximize the time you exercise while enjoying the outdoors.
Preparing Your Body For Winter Activities
If you love winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or ice skating, exercising in autumn is an excellent way to prepare your body for them. Autumn offers a perfect transitional period to build the strength and endurance needed for these activities.
Winter sports typically involve continuous physical activity in cold conditions. Exercising in autumn is a great time to increase your stamina through aerobic exercises such as running and cycling. By improving your aerobic fitness in the fall, you’ll be able to handle the physical demands of winter sports with less fatigue.
Exercising in cooler autumn temperatures helps acclimate your body to colder conditions. Your body becomes better at regulating heat, and you can practice proper layering and hydration strategies for cold-weather sports. This makes transitioning to winter sports easier as your body becomes used to the colder air.
The Takeaway
While the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, exercising in the autumn has some unique benefits. More pleasant and predictable weather and beautiful scenery can make your favorite activities feel easier and more enjoyable. Your workouts may feel more comfortable, giving you an extra energy boost to exercise harder and longer. Exercising in the autumn is a great time to change up your routine, prepare for your favorite winter sports, and acclimate to the cooler temperatures. Maintaining a consistent workout routine throughout autumn will help boost your immunity for the upcoming cold and flu season, improve your mood, and reduce your risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
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Disclaimer: No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
