Is this time of year a challenge for you?
If you are anything like me, winter is challenging. Especially where I live in Wisconsin where today the temperature is below zero. The holidays have passed, those New Years Resolutions may not be going so well and some days it can be difficult just to get out of bed!!! The first thing to remember is that it is NORMAL to feel this way sometimes. The good news is there are things you can focus on to try to get out of the funk.
5 tips- pick a couple to try today
WRITE it down! Sometimes it is helpful to just write it out/ brain dump I like to call it. Writing by hand has been shown to slow you down and as a result, help you to process your situation. You can write about literally anything that comes to your mind.
MOVE! Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make us happier. Anything- go for a run, do some yoga or take a walk. Any amount of time will do.
COOK Something! Cooking will make you feel productive and is a simple way to show yourself some love. Turn on some music for added benefit!
ANIMAL interaction! (my personal favorite) This has been shown to lower heart rate and reduce stress. If you have a pet, spend some extra time. If you don’t, I bet a friend would be happy for you to hang out with their pet OR volunteering at animal shelters to pet cats or walk dogs can be very therapeutic for you and the fur babies!
BREATHE! If you don’t already, I encourage you to begin to practice some deep breathing. Start simple- breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 2 and then out through for your mouth for 4 seconds. The effort to slow down is a great way to create clearer thinking.
Remember that there are many seasons to our life and some don’t feel as good as others. Give yourself some grace when some days just don’t feel as good as others. Find the things that will help get you through and know that you can start fresh the next day!!!
