It was a beautiful day in Chicago and running outside this afternoon reminded me how much weather can impact health. As I observed people walking around, it struck me that this phenomenon is probably motivated by a few things:
- After being cooped up indoors all winter, people are anxious to get outside and change their routine
- Nicer weather leads to shorts and t-shirts, meaning people need to look better as they start to shed the bulky coats
- Sun provides vitamins that folks have been deprived of during the cold winter
Obviously the combination of these factors creates a perfect storm to motivate people to run or bike outside, but there may be lessons health companies can take from this. For example, gyms could have special events that change up routines, encourage people to try a new type of exercise, and even tap into that summer anticipation to reinvigorate folks. Similarly, health insurers could host exercise or social events to get people moving during the winter by encouraging them to prepare for the event by taking steps to look good around others. Finally, providing support for Seasonal Affective Disorder (e.g., having sun light therapy at gyms) could be a differentiator and contribute to improved mental health.
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