Snow in Texas? Fayetteville, Arkansas checking in at -20 degrees? That groundhog was not kidding when it said there would be 6 more weeks of winter. As a way of inspiring you and bringing a little light into your day, our blog is all about beating the winter blues. While we know that A’nue tops in a rainbow of hues bring joy and brightness to your world, we also know that you could probably use a little extra help these days before spring arrives.
One of the best ways to get you through is by practicing self care. Start with the most basic forms of self care by being patient and kind with yourself. Nothing is ever perfect, so don’t expect yourself to be either. This is a long, difficult path that we have all been on for over a year. Know the difference between when you need a day to just refresh and restore and when you require a gentle push to get your body moving. When night falls, remember that sleep is incredibly important because it allows your body to recover from day’s events. Be sure to get into a healthy routine of settling down for the night.
There are some basic, tried-and-true tips to lift your spirits on the darkest days of winter. Try decreasing your screen time both to help regulate your natural body rhythms and to stay away from any news that can make you anxious or upset. The world will survive if you check out for a day or two. Take a look at what you are eating. Adding lots of colors to your diet – in the form of different fruit and vegetables – can help make sure you’re balanced in all of your vitamins and minerals. Pay particular attention to sources of Vitamin D if your skies have looked particularly grey lately, and consider a supplement or fortified food like cereal or OJ if you’ve been missing your 15 minutes of sunshine.
Exercise does a body (and mind!) good, so be sure to get moving either indoors or outdoors. One silver lining of the pandemic is that there are lots of great free virtual workouts. A quick search of the internet can yield daily Orangetheory 30 minute workouts, pilates mat classes, yoga sessions and dance classes – all free of charge! You can opt for free trials of Peloton classes, gym memberships and boot camps as a way to diversify your workouts. If that all seems overwhelming, try taking a walk outdoors and slowly building up your time or intensity with each excursion.
Most importantly, connect with people you care about. We all need human contact. Whether you choose to have socially distant, safe get-togethers or to pick up the phone just to say hi, you will be amazed at the difference it can bring to your day. Sometimes switching to a facetime call instead of just an audio call can be life changing. And if you or someone you know is struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for professional help.
Spring is just around the corner, so hang in there and do what you need to do to get through the last weeks of winter. We’re encouraged by each day being a little longer than the one before. The light is getting brighter and we’re excited to see what this changing of seasons has to offer for us all. Sending some Miami vibes to all of you!