It’s been bitterly cold for the past few weeks and I have been suffering with severe winter blues! Chances are that you feel that way too? So, even though the spring solstice is less than 20 days away, I would like to share with you my 10 top tips how to beat the last of the winter blues on SNOW DAY – NO 4
The peace that snow brings does give us a chance to go inside and really feel our emotions. Dashing around just isn’t an option. I personally have moments of loving the calm house bound activities and then a strong urge to grow wings and escape to another planet the next. And if your child is anything like mine, outside snow play lasts around 20 mins before the smiles are lost and freezing cold wet hands turn fun to freezing!
Depending where you live in the world winter will either be something you dread or something that passes you by without noticing. (It is actually our time to embed the seeds deep in systems, it does have a purpose)
Sometimes even people who live in the warmer parts of the world like California experience cyclical changes that affect their moods and disposition.
The extreme form of this is called SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a cyclical form of depression caused by changes in the circadian rhythm—a 24-hour cycle that regulates biochemical processes in the body.
For some people, as the hours of sunlight decrease in autumn and winter, their circadian rhythm cycle can become disrupted. The hormone melatonin and the neurotransmitter serotonin suddenly drop in the winter and this causes lethargy, depression, irritability and weight gain.
Here are my top 10 tips for beating the winter blues….
1. 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. HYGGE – Cosy up:
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 cosy by the fire in your favourite wooly socks. Naturally this only applies if your child/children will allow you to do that and if you are lucky to have a fireplace! Burn some warming essential oils instead – Cardamon, ginger, juniper berry, marjoram and rosemary will keep you snug as a bug.
3. 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.
4. Watch comedy shows that make you laugh out loud:
Laughter is the best medicine. Download your favourite comedian and watch the show till you have a stitch in your side from laughing or put on your winter boots and invite your partner/friends out to a live comedy night. If that’s not possible, have fun with your child/children. Luca is my personal entertainer. We dance, sing, play together and he is my little cute clown.
5. 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 wooly 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.
6. Spend time soaking it up in a hot bath or sauna:
There is nothing that raises your body heat quite like soaking it up in a hot bath or sauna. Just do it weekly throughout winter! You can’t go wrong.
7. 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 even belly dancing and get your groove on. Should you not be able to get to a class, stick YouTube on, find a dance/exercise video that inspires you and get moving! Get your child/children involved, they love seeing their mama having fun!
8. Buy some great looking winter outfits so you don’t feel frumpy:
Take all your old, moth-eaten sweaters to the charity shops and buy yourself some fresh head-turning winter gear like leggings and boots so you can go out and about in style. Embrace the yummy mummy in you!
9. Write a gratitude journal to stay positive
Research in the field of psychology has shown that performing simple daily acts of gratitude can have a big impact on your health and happiness.
These effects are particularly evident in the practice of gratitude journaling. It only takes a few minutes a day, but it can give you a lasting mood boost that can take you from feeling “yucky” to feeling “yeah, I got this” on a more regular basis.
10. Book a holiday in the sun
If the winter blues are simply unbearable, there is nothing that breaks it up better than a short vacation to a sunny place. It will give you the boost to get through the rest of the winter…maybe this time with a tan!
How will I know which of these tips will work for me?
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.
If you picked hot bath, 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 a 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! I personally can’t wait!
Stay warm and positive mamas xx Rosie
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