It rolls in like a fog does it not? The bed sheets every morning feeling just a little more comfortable, the couch sinking you a little bit deeper, the drinks just start flowing and soon enough you are in the cold, hard, displeasing place that is the winter blues. If you are anything like me, it is hard to imagine you can afford such luxuries nor do you really want to deep down. Some would say these winter months are perfect for hibernation, self-reflection, and enjoying time to yourself, but if you would like to avoid the trap of complacency and make it through the winter months and become unrecognizable as soon as the snow melts into sunshine, I have just the thing for you.
What are my top 10 tips for beating the winter blues?
Take Vitamin D3:
Vitamin D3 is not actually a vitamin, it’s a steroid hormone manufactured in the body from direct exposure to sunlight. Because sunlight is weak or scarce in some winters, be sure to buy Vitamin D3 supplements to make up for lost sunlight!
2. Invest in a high-quality light therapy sun lamp:
Light therapy sunlamps are often household necessities in states that suffer from lack of winter sunshine like Washington. Be sure to invest in a high-quality sun lamp that you can use throughout the day for 15 minutes at a time.
3. Hibernate happily:
Sometimes it’s best to surrender to winter and take up hibernation like a bear. You can watch movies you’ve always wanted to see or curl up on the couch with a good book you’ve been meaning to read or get all cozy by the fire in your favorite woolly socks.
4. Eat warm, nourishing comfort foods:
Use this time to make those rich bean soups and hearty squash and root vegetable stews that you’ve been wanting to try. It will nourish and warm your body and spirit.
5. Watch comedy shows and improv that make you laugh out loud:
Laughter is the best medicine. Download your favorite comedian and watch the show till you have a stitch in your side from laughing or put on your sexy winter boots and invite a friend out to see your favorite comedian live.
6. Layer up and go for walks outside in the cold, fresh air:
Just because it’s cold outside, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be outside. As long as you layer up with woolly hats, down jackets and long johns, even the snow and sleet will be your friend. Take a stroll on a freezing wintery evening and return home refreshed.
7. Spend time soaking it up in a hot tub or sauna:
There is nothing that raises your body heat quite like soaking it up in a hot tub or sauna. Just do it weekly throughout winter! You can’t go wrong.
8. Find a movement class that makes you sweat:
Getting your body moving floods you with feel-good endorphins. So, find a high energy dance class like Zumba or African Dance or even belly dancing and get your groove on. Then treat yourself to a cup of tea afterwards with your new dance buddy.
9. Buy some great looking winter outfits so you don’t feel frumpy:
Take all your old, moth-eaten sweaters to Goodwill and buy yourself some sexy, head-turning winter gear like leggings and boots so you can go out and about in style (Ladies I am talking to you…lol)
10. Take a vacation somewhere sunny or tropical:
If the winter months are simply unbearable, there is nothing that breaks it up better than a short vacation to a sunny place like Hawaii or Mexico. It will give you the boost to get through the rest of the winter… this time with a tan!
How will I know which of these tips will work for me?
Good question!
Start by picking your top three that just jump out at you. Those are the ones that obviously appeal to you the most—so that’s a great place to start!
Next, schedule a time on your calendar to actually do them starting tomorrow.
So if you picked hot tub, movement class and nourishing soup, then go out today and buy the ingredients for the soup to cook tomorrow and find a movement class you can start next week and treat yourself to your local hot tub spa on the weekend!
Once you’ve done these three-keep doing them if you enjoy them or ditch them if you don’t! And then start adding more from your top 10 list until pretty soon winter will be over and you will yearn to do it all over again!
To find out more on how Grace helps her clients “Beat the winter blues” all the while staying in shape so when spring comes you are not scrambling to get in shape. Go to www.lifejourneycoaching.net to book your FREE 30 minute consultation or just learn more about what Grace does.