Even if you live somewhere you are fortunate to enjoy sunny days during the winter, the season itself can bring on a lot of additional stress. Beginning with end-of-year schooling in December, going straight into busy holiday activities, traveling to see family (often to cold, rainy and snowy climates), followed by the start of a new year… acclimating yourself to new changes, time constraints, catching up on work and more, can be a LOT to handle! All of this, in addition to fewer daylight hours, can throw you into a winter funk.
But winter can be an amazing season for your physical and mental health. …
Just use these seven simple but powerful ways to enjoy winter, feel great and thrive!
- Make time for self-care during winter break. After a strenuous fall, winter is the time to recharge. While it’s tempting to stay busy when you’re home for the holidays, be sure to make time for yourself. If you want to spend Saturday on the couch watching movies, or curl up in bed for a long winter’s nap, do it! If your body is telling you to slow down, listen to it and allow yourself to catch up on some much needed rest and relaxation.
- Keep moving with some form of regular exercise. This is truly a game changer during the winter months. Going to the gym, joining a class virtually or even just going for daily walks will make you feel so much better during the winter season. This is also a great time to start the new year by learning a new skill and meeting new people. Check your local area for nearby places offering classes and workshops. Guaranteed there is one that’s perfect for you!
- Stay hydrated. A lot of people think they can drink less water in the winter, but that’s not the case. In fact, dry indoor heat can quickly dehydrate you, leaving you feeling sluggish and drained. Keep your water bottle filled and nearby, and sip on it throughout the day. Staying hydrated in the winter will help you look and feel your best!
- Eat colorful winter fruits. Eating seasonal produce is always the best option, and there are so many delicious fruits at their peak during the winter months. Here are a few to get you started:
Apples. Fall may be peak season for most apples, but properly stored, there are many varieties in stores that are crisp, juicy and fresh all winter long! Try a Fuji, Braeburn, Rome or Gold Rush apple and enjoy their delicious taste and health benefits.
Pears. There’s nothing better than a Christmas pear! The sweetest and juiciest of all winter pears. Other yummy winter pear varieties are Bosc, D’Anjou and Comice.
Pomegranate arils. If you’ve never tried a pomegranate aril you are missing out! These are the little red seed pods inside the pomegranate. Most stores (including Trader Joe’s) sell small containers of fresh arils in the winter. If you want a tasty treat that’s power packed with nutrients, this is THE winter fruit you need to try!
Clementines, mandarins, and kiwis, oh my! Eat them fresh or toss them in a fruit salad for a delightful combination of flavors
- Do something that inspires and nourishes your soul daily or weekly. What inspires you? Music, art, a good book, mediation, cooking? This next year, commit to doing one thing every day or each week that brings you personal fulfillment. Not sure what that is? Ask yourself this question “If I had more time, I would….” With a busy schedule of, work, family, children, and a social life, it’s often easy to go weeks or months without doing the things that are important to us personally. Don’t put these things off until the next break or summer, weave them into your schedule. Even if it’s just 30 minutes a week.
- Write down your life vision for 2023. This is not a list of goals (although you can include goals). A life vision is the bigger picture. What’s important to you this year? How do you want to feel? What do you want to experience? In what areas do you want to grow as a person? A life vision can really encompass anything you want it to. It’s the process of writing this down that is transformative, and will help you to actualize your vision and enjoy a happier, more fulfilled year.
- Start a gratitude journal for 2024. Did you know that writing daily in a gratitude journal can be good for your health? Studies have shown that keeping a daily gratitude journal can lower stress levels, help you sleep better, and give you a more clear perspective on what is important to you and what you truly appreciate every day. In short, a gratitude journal can benefit your body, mind and soul.
And no worries if you are a person who doesn’t like to journal. Writing three short (one sentence) things in your gratitude journal is all it takes. And when you go back and read your gratitude journal, it truly does make you realize how many things there are to be grateful for – winter, spring, summer and fall! MySoulrenity shared a printable version of this if you’re signed up for our newsletter, if not, what are you waiting for!
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