We spend the holiday season relaxing, eating delicious food, and spending time with our loved ones. Even though it may seem like a welcome change, taking a break from exercise can hurt our bodies, even though we may let our usual fitness routines fall by the wayside.
When we stop working out, several things can happen, including losing muscle mass. The fibers in our muscles need to be challenged to maintain strength. When these fibers aren’t stressed by physical activity, they start to break down, causing muscles to shrink and weaken. Over the holidays, we consume more calories than usual, which can be especially acute.
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In addition to declining physical fitness, a lack of exercise can harm cardiovascular health. Whenever you stop exercising, your cardiovascular fitness decreases, which makes it more difficult for your heart and blood vessels to work effectively. We can reduce the risk of heart disease by exercising regularly because it improves blood flow and heart health.
Our mental health can also be negatively affected by inactivity. The effects of exercise on mood have been demonstrated, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. We lose these benefits when we stop exercising, which can cause sadness and stress during the holidays.
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Sleep quality can also be negatively affected by taking a break from exercise. It has been shown that regular physical activity improves sleep quality, while inactivity can disrupt sleep patterns and cause fatigue. When this happens, enjoying the holidays to the fullest can be difficult and may make you feel tired and sluggish.
Taking a break from exercise can feel like a welcome change over the holidays, but it will also negatively affect your body. Keeping active is crucial to avoiding these negative consequences, even for a few minutes daily. In this way, we can ensure that we stay in good physical condition, maintain our cardiovascular health, stay mentally healthy, and stay on top of our sleep quality to fully enjoy our holiday season.