On a beautiful day like today when the sun is shining, the sky is a crisp cornflower blue and there is a fairy cake dusting of snow on the lawns and rooftops it may be hard to find much to be down about, but the long winter months can be difficult for many people. At the moment, when spring seems so far away, credit card bills form Christmas are piling up and colds and flu seem to be hanging around like a bad smell, our mood may benefit from a little lightening.
So here are just a few tips for getting your body and mind into a better state over these next few weeks of winter and there’s plenty more where these came form so let me know if you want more, or add your own by commenting on my blog.
Rise with the sun. Sunrise in winter really is a magical time. It can give you a wonderful sense of majesty and being connected to the vibrancy of life, and you don't have to get up too ridiculously early to enjoy it. More time in contact with the natural world is beneficial for our wellbeing and you don't have to be out tree hugging to get a sense of being connected to nature. Leaving a crack in the curtains so that the sun gently wakes you, is a lovely gentle entrance to the day, better than the harsh alarm on a mobile phone.
Get up and at em early and with purpose.Getting out of bed and getting productive early on in the day can give you an early sense of achievement (and leaves the dark evenings free for you to cosy up and hibernate a little). Better than lying in bed working yourself into a grump over the fact that it's cold and you've got to get to work etc etc. Get up, head for the kitchen and make yourself a nutritious and substantial breakfast to kick start the metabolism. Then head for the shower to rinse off the sleep followed by a few good stretches to really wake up your muscles and boost the battery. Then decide what kind of day it's going to be in just one word and affirm it to yourself a few times, out loud and in a positive tone. You may be surprised at the difference this conscious start can make to your overall performance.
Gaze at the moon. I read last week that the full moon we experienced this weekend is the brightest of the year (as its closest to the earth at the moment). Gazing out at the moon and sinking into its milky depths can really give you a sense of connectedness to the greater fabric of life. Wherever we are in the world we’re all looking at the same sky, it can bring loved ones closer, encourage us to dream in our lives (literally as well as metaphorically) and bring a real depth of serenity and peace. If gazing isn’t enough then one of my all time favourite things to do is a moonlit night walk. Better in the country rather than the city with less ambient light but getting out and about while the rest of the world sleeps can be truly magical. After walking under the waxing moon for a while, emotional challenges somehow become a little clearer. I do feel a special affinity with the moon (despite being a sun loving Leo) and if you’ve never really paid attention to it before, perhaps it’s time to start.
Be a peacock and let your colours shine. It can be all too tempting to cocoon ourselves away in blues, blacks and greys at this time of year and simply blend into the background. Colour has an amazing impact on our psyche and really can change the way you feel, not just how you look. When leafing through the wardrobe make a conscious effort to pull out those things that make you feel fabulous and add a splash of colour. You never know you may brighten someone else’s day too. If in doubt about which colours are right for you then get a colour consultation – speak to me for great recommendations. Spending a little time on yourself also works wonders.
Cut out alcohol. I cannot tell you how much difference this alone can make to your mood and ability to cope with the cold long nights. If you are in the habit of a glass or two of vino a night and can’t remember the last time you had a week without a drink, then it could really be impacting on your energy and your sleep patterns. If you can’t go cold turkey then try what Mike and I do and allow yourself a night off at the weekend when you can enjoy a glass and really make it special. Use your cut glass decanter and best wineglasses and just taste the difference!
Vits, vits and more vits. Make sure you are getting enough vitamins in your diet. B vitamins in particular are great mood enhancers. If in doubt as to whether you are getting the right balance, consult a good nutritionist - again I can very probably recommend one in your area. I won’t go into the virtues or otherwise of supplements as of course it’s personal preference but the temptation to eat comforting “stodge” at this time of year can be great and will likely leave you feeling...well...stodgy! So think before you eat. Just being a little more conscious about your food can make all the difference, especially if you are wanting to shift excess Christmas pounds.
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