How to stay active after the holidays

This article was written for our sponsor, AARP North Carolina

The holidays are full of activities that aren’t necessarily active: sitting to open gifts, gathering around the table for meals, settling into a couch to catch up with family and friends.

It may feel challenging to get into a routine that includes movement when the new year arrives, but it’s important to overall health. In fact, while it’s common knowledge that physical activity is good for your body, you may not realize that it’s also one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy.

Setting a doable goal for the new year that fits in your routine is the first step, said Sarah Lock, senior vice president of policy and brain health at AARP and executive director of the Global Council on Brain Health.

"Think about the goal you’re going to select, and think about the ‘why’ it’s connected to," said Lock. "People understand that they’re supposed to exercise, but they don’t really connect it to their own personal motivations and their own personal life. They want to be there for their daughter’s wedding or they want to go on a trip — it’s not just exercise for exercise’s sake."

Next, find an activity you enjoy and invite a friend to be part of it.

"Choosing a goal that is something fun and easy for you to do makes it immediately rewarding," said Lock. "You don’t have to go to the gym and mess up your hair.And involving another person adds a social dimension," said Lock.

In addition, a workout buddy helps you stay on target.

"It really helps if you have a person that is accountable," said Lock. "You may not want to go for that walk, but you’ll go if Jane is waiting for you."

Many types of healthy activities are beneficial for both body and brain. In fact, people may not even realize that activities they already do are a type of exercise, such as gardening or housework. While some favorite activities are great options, the danger is that many people tend to overestimate their level of activity.

"Give yourself some credit for where you are, and realize just a little bit more can help you tremendously," she said. "Simply take 10 minutes instead of watching that TV program and say, ‘I’m just going to do 10 minutes of walking around the house instead of watching the TV.’ Just slip in a good habit. If you accomplish that goal, you’re going to feel good about yourself."

In fact people can use the activities they love as motivation to move more. For example, walking and staying loose more often everyday will keep muscles more limber to be able to keep up with grandkids on the weekends.

Going for a walk is a common way of getting necessary movement in. A fun way to do that is by going outside, and the new year comes with a celebration in North Carolina that can help: It’s the Year of the Trail in the Great Trails State.

"There is a trail for everyone — every ability, every background," said Palmer McIntyre, conservation planner at Piedmont Land Conservancy. "There really is such an incredible diversity of trails in North Carolina. Explore and research to find the best trails for you!"

For those who have limited mobility, the state parks website has a list of accessible trails. The page also includes information about camping, fishing, and swimming, with details about trails about two-thirds of the way down.

"Trails provide not just physical benefits, but there’s a lot of mental well-being [in] connecting with nature," said McIntyre. "You can just take the time to breathe, get away from it all. There’s a lot of stress in life for all ages."

Even in winter, you don’t have to avoid going outside.

"I think it’s a great time to get out," said McIntyre. "The winter landscape is great. You can see the lay of the land without all the vegetation. The sky is clear without the haze of summer."

Just remember to check the weather beforehand and dress for it, including wearing the right shoes, so you’ll be comfortable.

"Grab a friend or family member and start off on a trail near you," said McIntyre.

This article was written for our sponsor, AARP North Carolina