How to Stay Active in December: Five Reminders for Busy Seasons
Oh, December: month of frenzied obligations, peaceful beauty, year-end deadlines, and beloved traditions. Season of chaos and contrast, with too many things that need “doing,” and a to-do list growing longer by the day.
It’s easy to let exercise and movement fall to the bottom of that to-do list, especially when energy is low, time is tight, and motivation fades faster than winter daylight (those 4 pm sunsets😑).
Here are five reminders to help keep you moving, even when it feels impossible to fit one more thing in:
1. Schedule Workouts Like Appointments
Let’s be honest: if it’s not on the calendar this month – like a dentist appointment, a business meeting, or your kid’s school event – it’s probably not going to happen.
It’s too easy to push movement off over and over again: I’ll do it later/tomorrow/next week.
Instead, block time for it. Make an appointment with yourself.
Whether it’s a 15-minute walk at lunch, 20 minutes at the gym, 30 minutes on your yoga mat, a fitness class, or a physical therapy session, any amount of exercise counts when you show up for yourself.
Weekends often offer more flexibility. Take advantage and get some movement in then.
Block movement into your schedule and protect it like the important meeting it is. Because your well-being matters.
2. Mindset Matters: Have To Workout vs. Get To Exercise
Sometimes a simple reframe can make all the difference: we get to move our bodies. This is something to appreciate. It’s not a chore, like say … laundry. We get to nurture and honor our bodies through movement.
And staying active has real benefits: a better mood, a calmer nervous system, improved sleep, stress relief. In a hectic season, supporting your mental and physical health is a gift.
“I get to move my body, and I know I’ll feel better after” is a more helpful place to start than “I have to work out.”
Then just start: put on workout clothes, roll out your mat, get in the car. One small action creates momentum, and momentum makes the rest easier.
Let movement be a reminder that you get to choose yourself.
3. Workout Accountability: Don’t Do It Alone
When self-discipline runs low (hello, December), having an accountability partner can make all the difference for motivation and keeping movement a priority when so many other things compete for your attention.
Whether it’s a walking buddy, having a friend to text after a workout, a coach, or a physical therapist, that human connection can shift “I’ll skip it” to “I’ll show up.”
In fact, a study conducted by researchers at UC Berkeley, Washington University, and the University of Pennsylvania, found that working out with a friend increased gym visits by 35%, even when trying to coordinate two schedules.
Support makes showing up easier and, according to the study, more enjoyable.
At Restore, we can be that partner. We’ve helped our patients stay consistent, make realistic adjustments, and reconnect with why staying active matters, especially during busy seasons.
Because staying active isn’t just about willpower. It’s about not doing it alone.
4. Protect Your Energy with the Power of ‘No’
December is full of “shoulds.”
Should go to the party.
Should bake the cookies.
Should check off every holiday “bucket list” item.
But every ‘yes’ to a draining event, task, or obligation is a ‘no’ to something that keeps you healthy: movement, rest, a few quiet moments to reset. Time and energy are limited. Protect them.
Saying no isn’t selfish; it’s a way to stay grounded in what truly supports your well-being.
Skip the third cookie exchange.
Leave the party early. Let a few things go.
Not everything needs to get done. Let go of the “shoulds” to make space for practices that keep you feeling well, physically and mentally.
5. Small, Consistent Effort Adds Up
Motivation will come and go, especially during a month as full as December. But showing up consistently is what matters. It does not matter how small the step or how ordinary the effort.
A short walk. Ten minutes of stretching. A few mindful movements between tasks. It all counts.
You are showing up for yourself, and these “small” steps build momentum. They remind the body what it feels like to move, and they reinforce the habit of showing up, even when life feels messy.
Progress isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing something, and letting that be enough.
Conclusion
At Restore, we know how hard it can be to stay consistent this time of year. Whether it’s creating a plan that fits your schedule, adjusting when life gets busy, or offering support, we’re here to partner with you. Book your free discovery call to see how we can keep you moving this December (and beyond).