Because a lot of us are in need of a #winterwakeup!
Disclaimer – I am not a nurse, doctor, naturopath, wellness coach or an expert in energy of any kind. I am just a gal who feels a bit sluggish in the winter months and the following suggestions are things that have been helpful in my own experience. If you are suffering from extreme lethargy or possible Seasonal Affective Disorder, you should go see a healthcare professional for reals.
In a bit of a rut? Feeling kind of low energy lately? I am too! Which, I hate admitting because I feel like saying phrases like “I’m tired” out loud just feeds the exhaustion and manifests laziness. The truth is though, that winter is such a natural season of rest (I mean, bears are just like NOPE and straight up sleep through these months. I relate, bears, I relate). After the Holiday chaos, this time of year is meant for a slower pace of life. Which, if you’re like me and usually go-go-go, it’s an adjustment.
In an effort to use this time wisely and embrace what January has to offer all of us, I have been making testing some ways to combat the winter blahs and jotting them down the past month. And sure, I can tire a bit easier, and still fight to fully wake up some mornings, but in general, I feel so energized and healthy! I’ve compiled a list as a reminder to myself about what’s worked, and thought I’d share it here with you as well.
Hope this is useful to you. If I can help you infuse a bit more motivation and energy into these shorter days, then my work here is done!
Try Moving Your Body More
This is my new mantra: exercise is medicine. I know that when I sweat, I feel better, have more energy, and have a much easier time falling asleep, but have really struggled to embrace it as something I like doing. Maybe all you can handle right now is some walks, and that’s honestly great (and exactly where I started)! You can also add on small changes, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking to run an errand instead of driving or taking public transportation. At-home workouts can be effective and a wonderful way to build your strength without a room full of people. I’ve been finding classes to be what works for me right now and have been actually utilizing Class Pass. Just don’t forget to stretch when you can too!
Meditate
A vegetative state in front of Netflix may seem relaxing, but it’s not necessarily giving your mind a break. I’m not a natural meditator, so I’ve been to a few yoga classes to get me back into it. For the first time all year, I actually felt grounded, turned my racing mind off, and was able to meditate. I’ve also re-downloaded the Headspace App, which a lot of people love for guided meditation. Do you meditate? What’s your secret to a calm mind?
Get A Good Sleep
I’m tired basically ALL the time in the winter, so sleeping isn’t my problem. It’s the quality of sleep that starts to become an issue. Sleep is so much better when I’ve worked up a sweat that day (remember, exercise is medicine) and have taken the time to meditate. I’ve also found that waking up at a similar time each morning, no matter how tempting that snooze button is, improves my energy levels all day.
Write, Write, Write!
Put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard) and jot down your thoughts. If you’re feeling stressed, write down everything that is causing you stress/guilt. If you’re feeling lost, reflect and write out what your goals for this year are (and if that’s too much, start with just your goals for this month or week). If you’re overwhelmed, write out the to-do list with actionable items so that you can chip away, ask for help, or give yourself deadlines. Sometimes it’s therapeutic to just have it all written out in front of you and feel like you have some kind of hold on things.
Get Outside
That crisp winter air is so delightful! If it’s sunny, you HAVE to get outdoors and feel the sweet rays of that glorious sun, even if it’s just for a 10 minute stroll. If you live near mountains, embracing winter and heading up to the snowy peaks is so much fun. There are plenty of winter activities and sports you can partake in, but even just a short walk through the snow is good for the soul.
Positive Thinking
My friend Alex had a beautiful take on shorter days, in that we get to see a sunrise AND sunset thanks to our condensed daylight. How awesome is that?! Fighting negative thoughts and low mood requires some extra effort in these winter months, but I know you can do it! Practicing daily gratitude can seriously help with this, as can limited screen time. Giving yourself something to look forward to, like a fun project, an upcoming trip, a relaxation day, etc, can really help you keep a positive mindset with a light at the end of the dark winter tunnel.
Balanced Eating
This is the time of year that I crave carbs and chocolate and Merlot. I also often feel too lazy to cook and want a quick cozy take-out fix. I’ve had to fight all of these urges to stick to my healthier snack and meal choices. I prioritized meal prep for Sundays and have been tricking myself into eating salads by adding warm ingredients like roasted vegetables to a bowl of greens. Cooking at home helps Adam and I keep control of ingredients and portions, and we are careful not to overindulge on heavy foods. We can really feel lethargic after a big, rich meal, which definitely won’t help with low energy levels. Limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption, but drinking more water is also going to set you up for success, trust me!
