We often feel tired, grumpy and demotivated as the evening starts earlier. As we approach the shortest days of the year learn a few tips to help keep you smiling and reduce the chance of you reaching for the biscuit tin!!
This is naturally a time to rest, restore, hibernate and add a few layers of clothing (and maybe also insulation) so we may find that it’s harder than during the summer months to get stay motivated. We may find we reach for the biscuits to get a sugar rush, prop ourselves up caffeine or simply indulge in lazy evenings eating comfort food and feeling stodgy. None of these are healthy for body or mind so instead let’s find a few healthier ways to stay bright in attitude even if it is dark outside.
- Do yoga. Well what did you expect me to prioritise if you want to feel better on every level!!
- Get Outside. Wrap up warm and get yourself out for even five minutes walk to the shop, or get off the bus a stop earlier. Walk, move and get some vitamin D. This will invigorate the mind and the heart, lifting the spirits as the crisp air and the natural light improve your well-being. You’ll probably notice the natural beauty of this time of year too. Maybe a morning frost or beautiful sunset that you’d have missed hiding inside by the fire.
- Reduce stress. Make time to pause and respect that this time of year isn’t the right time to over extend yourself. Maybe take a long weekend and go somewhere pretty. Enjoy being alive rather than feeling anxious. See if you can maintain a regular meditation practice…maybe only 2-5minutes every morning. I promise you it’s worth it.
- This may overlap with number 4 but reduce expectation of yourself. Maybe you wont go to the gym as often as in the summer, or your diet isn’t as healthy as six months ago. Maybe your productivity at work is down. Give yourself a break. It’s nearly Christmas so enjoy being kind to yourself.
- Take time to pause and moments of rest. Most of us seem to maintain a busy schedule right up until Christmas week. Sometimes social and family expectations make us even busier than usual. Pause and make some time for you too…it will help you smile through the family stuff 😉 Maybe find a relaxation CD you like and make time to listen to it.
- Make time for important people. This time of year can be the time we are ‘expected’ to check in with family and friends we may not see the rest of the year. However don’t forget the people who you see more often…they’re the ones who you share your life with. So make time for them…maybe a date with your partner or a brew with a friend. Real time with the people who hold you together.
- Hold yourself together with nourishment and comfort. Be it a hot bath with candles and a good book, or getting out the slow cooker so you can create healthy warming stews and soups. Practice a slow mindful yoga or more yin styles and indulge rather than be intense.
- Try light therapy. SAD lights can help promote well being for those of us who suffer when we miss the sunshine and daylight. If you’re feeling depressed consider dietary supplements to complement light therapy.
This time of year can be depressing or amazing. Enjoy the beautiful colours of Autumn, the fresh mornings with crisp frost and leaves underfoot. Enjoy spending time by the fire, wrapped up warm outside and getting giddy over Christmas celebrations or social occasions. Do yoga…meditate under a warm rug or maybe indulge in a more yin practice by the fire. Yoga will keep you mobile in body and open your mind to the beauty around you.
It won’t be long before the snow drops are peeping through and we are watching the buds blossom on the trees next Spring.
Enjoy and appreciate this moment.