Spring isn’t here quite yet, and as winter drags on, it can make many of us feeling fatigued, sluggish, stressed, and even stir crazy. Are you having a common case of the winter blues? Here are some ways to keep your mind and body happy until spring officially arrives.
Add more Light to your Day
The reason many of us feel more fatigued and sluggish this time of year is because of the lack of sunlight during the winter months. Between gray snowy days, and the sun going down sooner, it can be hard to feel refreshed regardless of how much coffee you drink!
If you’re struggling to stay awake at home or at work, something like a light box can help you feel more energized.
Additionally, keeping your curtains open can help you lighten up your bedroom in the morning, prompting your body to naturally wake up.
Stay Active
It can be hard to stay active in the winter, especially when temperatures are below freezing outside. It may be tempting to snuggle up with a warm blanket all day, but this can actually make your symptoms worse. Get up and stay active to beat the symptoms of the winter blues.
Some great indoor exercises include:
- Strength training – items like water bottles can be utilized as weights, and exercises such as, jumping jacks, lunges, planks, stair stepping, and even high knees are a great way to keep your muscles strong at home.
- Yoga – this is a great way to keep your whole body in shape, and incorporating meditation into your yoga routines can also help to clear your mind.
- Video routines – DVD workouts are still pretty popular today, however, you can find a variety of fitness experts right on YouTube that can show you ways to incorporate new activities into your workout routine.
Even just getting up and stretching for a half hour can improve your overall wellbeing. Before you start your day be mindful of your exercise levels, and how it can impact you mentally.
Make Healthy Choices
When it’s snowing and cold outside, it may be tempting to bake sweets or overindulge in food that isn’t the healthiest. However, eating excess carbs and sugar can cause you to actually feel more sluggish than before. If you’ve ever heard of the term “midday slump,” you’ll know it’s actually quite common for your energy to crash a few hours after lunch, and often this has to do with a poor diet. If you’re eating high carb foods like pasta or sugary pastries for lunch, it makes your blood sugar levels to spike and drop, causing you to feel tired and lethargic.
If you add this to your already fatigued feeling body, then you have a recipe for disaster. Instead, when lunch time rolls around, make smart decisions and stick with food that’s rich in proteins or leafy greens to give your body a nutritious energy boost.
Take an Early Vacation
Many people reserve vacation time for the summer, but even just taking a few days to visit somewhere warm (out West or down South) can greatly improve your mood and well being.
If you do plan to go on vacation soon, make sure you check out our podcast episode on rental car insurance, which can help you make the right decisions and understand your options.
Get Creative
Tapping into your creative side definitely has its benefits, and you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy it either. Sketch for an hour, sing along to your favorite song, scrapbook family memories, or build something out of repurposed items in your home.
Creative activities can be extremely therapeutic and are a great way to get rid of any stress or built up energy you may be feeling because of the winter blues. Head to your nearest craft store and get started on a fun new project today!
Learn Something New
Feeling stuck indoors can cause feelings of stir craziness, especially if you’re unsure of what to do with extra free time you have.
A great way to boost your mental energy is by learning something new. You can do this by reading a new book, visiting a museum, or even participating in an educational course. Regardless of what new activity you pursue, you’re helping your brain stay sharp and positive feelings that can help you beat the winter blues.
Spring will be here soon enough, but in the meantime, it’s important to keep your mind and body healthy.
What do you do to beat the winter blues? If you have any tips that we missed, share them in the comments below!
