Surviving Post-Daylight Savings
Crawls slowly into a black hole of blankets…
On November 3rd, our clocks were turned back one hour. My initial reaction was: YES! We get an extra hour of sleep. But then I realized: oh no… the sun goes down earlier and we all slowly commence into hibernation mode. A 2016 study published in Epidemiology found that the number of depression diagnoses actually increase in the month following the shift back to standard time. The amount of daylight we are exposed to can seriously impact our mood and depressive symptoms. I am challenging myself and you all to erase this stigma. How you ask? Taking advantage of the early sunshine and embracing the night.
We put together 7 different outdoor workout outlets in LA to make the end of Daylight Savings something to celebrate!
- Sunrise Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga with YOGAqua
Let the ocean be your yoga mat and embrace the early sunshine. Classes are located in Marina Del Rey and Ventura. These classes are open to all levels. Never tried stand up paddleboarding? Not to worry, the first 30 minutes of the class is dedicated to instruction on how to properly use a paddleboard. The remaining hour is dedicated to Vinyasa yoga flow. This is a great activity to do with friends and a perfect motivation to get outside!
Looking for more? Check out this comprehensive guide on all things paddle boarding from GILI Sports.
- Early Morning and Late Night Gains with Bootcamp LA
If you’re looking for a fun, positive workout environment with tons of motivation, Bootcamp LA may be the perfect way to get back in shape. These sessions provide stretching, cardio, and weightlifting exercises as well as one on one training and nutritional guidance. You can create your own schedule as the program offers different early morning and late evening times on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays. All fitness levels are welcome to attend and classes take place at the Garden Park of the Los Angeles Natural History Museum.
- Connect through Community, Art, and Running with Blacklist LA
This running group is for those looking to train hard and explore everything LA has to offer. Blacklist LA has the perfect line-up for a late night run. On Mondays runners gather at 10pm and run to street art displayed around the city. Wednesdays are the Metro Run, where BlacklistLA uses public transit to discover the city. Saturdays are for the long distance runners, the perfect way to end your week on a high note. Whether you’re looking to train for a marathon or wanting to discover the city, Blacklist LA is the perfect push to get outside during the next few months.
- Breathe in the Fresh Air with Beach Yoga SoCal
Just because it’s getting cold, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beach! Beach Yoga SoCal is a perfect escape from any feelings of sadness or hibernation. Feeling the sand in your toes and listening to the sound of the ocean can provide some serious therapy to those winter blues! Classes are located on the beach south of Santa Monica Pier. Classes are typically offered Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. All you need is a towel, sunscreen, and an open mind to join!
- Be Empowered and Get Active with November Project
This organization started in Boston as a way to stay in shape during the cold winter months. The November Project has now expanded to cities around the world, including Los Angeles. Their goal is to hold accountability, motivate, and encourage individuals of all fitness backgrounds. No sign-up or cost is required, you simply just have to show up. Workouts take place every Wednesday at Griffith Observatory at 5:27 am and 6:27 am and every Friday at 6:00am. Workouts feature stairs and body weight exercises that focus on interaction and team building.
- Expand your Horizons with LA Trail Hikers.
Exploring the nature and beauty hidden throughout Los Angeles is a great way to get outside and get active. This group welcomes hikers of all levels and offers both evening and early morning hikes on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you enjoy beautiful sights and a fun workout experience, this may be the perfect outlet for you. Make sure you have the necessary gear and water before embarking!
- Elevate your Adrenaline with LA Running Club
Located in Santa Monica, LA Running Club is a program for runners and walkers of all abilities. Their Wednesday night track program offers workouts for intervals, tempo, long distance, recovery, and hill group runs. The group also competes in numerous races, year round and participate in fun social events. Their main sessions are at 6:30 pm on Wednesday and 7:00 am on Saturdays.
Do you have a favorite work out spot in your hometown? We want to know! Share how you plan to embrace the time change in the comments below!
