I know that a lot of people tend to get stressed and use the cold as a great excuse to avoid running in the winter. While it's really easy to tell yourself that staying under the covers is a better option, I'm here to tell you that doing this may be causing you greater stress. Studies show that running in general ups your endorphin's and lowers stress levels. This effect is greater when you run outside. Sunshine and vitamin D will do wonders for your physical and mental health. Air in gyms can also tend to be relatively dry and may increase inflammation in the lungs especially if you're already sick. So the next time you want to hop on a treadmill at the gym, think about hitting a trail instead. Your body and mind will thank you later.
