Beating the Winter Blues
This is a hard time of year for many people including myself. In general, by February, we are tired of the cold, tired of the layers of clothes we must repetitively take on and off as we go in and out of the home, tired of the long, dark nights and tired of shoveling snow. For some people, seasonal depression is very real. Now, when you add a global pandemic where staying in the home and distanced from others is the answer to saving humanity, this winter may just be the hardest yet.
So, what can we do? While we cannot change the weather, we can take care of ourselves in specific ways to feel good.
As a coach, it is my job to help you feel your best. For my clients, during the winter, I often incorporate at least some discussion and strategy to overcome wintertime blues. Here are some tips that my clients have found useful:
Get outside, soak up the sun and take in some fresh air as much as possible! Yes, sometimes we do not want to go out in the cold. But, bundle up and go out, especially on sunny days. You will be glad you did.
“Body Movin’” … ok, had to add my musician flare in here somewhere. The Beastie Boys were not wrong; get your body moving! Physical activity increases the release of endorphins, which are literally feel-good, happy hormones. Any movement helps, whether it is a short walk, a bike ride, dancing in your living room or an intense HIIT sesh. Do what makes you feel joy!
Take a hot shower, take a hot bath or use the hot tub… if you are so lucky to have access to a hot tub. Doing this can help you to relax, get the blood flowing and escape from the cold!
Eat warm food. This will warm the body as well. You can find thousands of delicious soup and stew recipes on Pinterest or the Internet in general. I always remind myself that I love certain soups and winter is the only time of year that it makes sense to make them!
Get playful with your wardrobe. I love my beanies, my cozy sweaters and my Uggs. Again, I remind myself that once the warmer weather hits, I will not get a chance to wear some of these fun clothes!
Hibernate. Biologically, winter is meant for hibernation. It is okay to relax, unwind and sleep if your body needs that. Sleep in, go to bed early, cozy up on the couch, you are allowed to do all of this during winter.
Pick up a new hobby. I’ll never forget winter of 2015 when I finally learned how to play guitar. This is a hobby that has become truly valuable to me as I continue to grow as a musician and keyboardist. This was one of the most important winters of my life, when I experienced real growth and achievement.
Invest in a sunlamp. This is especially useful if you work in a dark environment, away from a window. Various sunlamps can be found on Amazon and are useful in the morning or the evening when the sun is going down.
Add Vitamin D3 to your morning vitamin routine. Our main Vitamin D source is the sun, so during winter, we may be lacking Vitamin D, which helps with immunity, energy and supports bone health and our nervous system. I like Young Living’s Vitamin D. As a Young Living member, you will get a 24% discount on all Young Living products. If you are interested in joining Young Living for Vitamin D and our other wellness products, I can certainly help you join and help you find the best products to suit all of your health needs.
As always, contact your health coach! I am here for support and together, we can strategize ways to get through this difficult winter season. I am offering free discovery sessions. You can contact me at any time to schedule your free discovery session by emailing: coachlisamh@gmail.com.