Tips to Beat the Winter Blues
The change of seasons reminds us to change up our routine. During summer we have more daylight so we tend to stay up late and spend lots of time outdoors. In the winter time, daylight is shorter and it’s often cold out depending on where we live. If we continue the same late nights of summer into winter, we begin to feel off balanced and even burnout.
When we begin to set a routine that is in harmony with nature, we may begin to feel more energized, even in winter! This harmony is stated throughout the study of Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old holistic science of self-healing and sister of yoga. Although we’ve been in our homes for months now, many of us continue to overextend ourselves. Winter is definitely a time to relax, rest, and essentially hibernate, like we see nature doing. It’s good for our bodies and great for our minds.
Below are a few habits to consider during the winter season.
Wake Up Later: That’s right, you get to sleep in! But let’s not get crazy here. If you typically wake up at 5:00 a.m., give yourself another hour of sleep. If you can swing it, maybe give yourself an hour and a half.
Move Slower: We need to drive slow in the snow, and we should rush less altogether this time of year. It goes back to relaxing. Now is the time to settle down and reflect instead of rushing around everywhere. Taking breaks and moving slower helps ease the feelings of overwhelm.
Dress Warm: This one is obvious, but definitely wear a hat outside. More than 60% of our body heat is lost through the head. If you’re cold indoors, you’d be better off putting on a hat than a blanket.
Eat Warm Foods: Salads are great, quick, and healthy but they’re also cold. These can shock our bodies in the winter and make us feel colder. Try eating more cooked vegetables and warm meals throughout the day. Warm foods are also easier on the digestive tract than cold raw foods. Soups and chilis are great this time of year!
Wear Bright Colors: We need a boost of energy to help when all we see are gray cloudy skies for days or weeks. Wearing bright reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks can help boost our mood.
It’s important we nurture ourselves from the inside out, especially as the weather changes. Be sure to take some time to slow down and rest this season. It just may help you beat the winter blues!
Looking for more wellness tips? Check out the FREE PDF download on 8 Ways to Stay Balanced.