When the world is illuminated by sunshine it seems so simple and easy to make the healthy outdoor choices that freshen things up. You feel energetic, happy, and relaxed in a way that just seems to gradually fade away when the nights draw in. While we all love the festivities and snug feeling of wrapping up warm in winter, wouldn’t it be great if we could also experience a boost in our health and wellness? Keep reading to see how you can do it…
Natural light lamps bring back the sunshine
The number one reason why you feel that the winter blues are taking the edge off your positive mood is that you’ll become deficient in vitamin D3. Sunlight hitting your skin turns cholesterol into a vitamin that every cell in the human body can receive and use. In fact, it’s the only vitamin that we can produce ourselves without having to eat or drink.
Having a natural light lamp that you can sit and read under for the first 30 minutes of the day is a game changer when you want to be able to feel your best. You’ll feel the energy flow back into your body as it lifts you out of those blue moods that seem to gradually creep back in during the autumn and winter. Ideal when you want to be able to enjoy life right throughout the year.
Waking early will kickstart your body clock
When it’s cold outside and there’s rain pouring down, you’ll be tempted to lie in bed for an extra half hour, and we don’t blame you. The problem with this is that oversleeping actually makes you more lethargic and tired because it disrupts your body’s natural clock.
Waking early at the same time every single day is the best way to set yourself up for a day that will make you smile. This is about taking the time to set in place a routine that you know you can stick to, and one that also gives you space to enjoy your mornings. If in doubt, go to bed an hour earlier and wake an hour sooner.
Making sure you spend time outside matters
Even on those days where it’s blowing a gale and pouring down with rain, get outside. You can wrap up warm, call the dog, and then dry off when you get back home. There’s nothing more important than breaking the cycle of endless days inside during the winter if you want to feel connected to the world around you.
Fresh air helps clear out the lungs, gives you time to process the events of the day, and gets you away from the addictive world of screen time. Just what’s needed when you want to be able to engage with life on a deeper level.
Practice gratitude to boost your positive thinking
When the sunlight illuminates your life, you feel positive, but when there’s no sunshine, you can become your own source of light. Something as simple as a daily gratitude journalling session that lasts for just 5 minutes can make all the difference.
By giving thanks for the simple things in life you can quickly and easily start to see the wood for the trees. It’s all too easy to dwell on the small number of negatives and the stress they create, but there’s so much more in life that deserves your attention. Being grateful for what you have and what you’ve experienced will put you in a positive frame of mind, allowing you to do that little bit more tomorrow
Create a list of things you can only do in winter
There’s always more that you could be doing, so why not make the most of the time that you have available? Having simple little things or specific jobs that you can look forward to at certain times of the year is a great way to mark the changing of the seasons. Just because you can’t really sit outside with a BBQ late into the evening doesn’t mean you have to write off the next 6 months of your life.
Bonfires, walks in crisp wintery air, and even snowball fights are all things you can look forward to at this time of year. The key is to set the tone in a positive way so that you can quickly and easily find new ways to get most of the months that lie ahead. Ideal when you want to be able to enjoy life on a deeper level by enjoying the moment you’re in, rather than simply waiting for things to get better.
Set yourself a goal each week and keep moving
Goal setting works because it allows you to feel connected with the world around and in control of your journey through it. You can make your goals tiny to begin with so that you build your confidence the natural way. Start with those easy wins and low-hanging fruit and you’ll soon find that new ideas come to mind.
Continue the process, work through any setbacks with a smile, and then stand back and enjoy the results. It’s a simple action that will put you in control in a truly positive way.
Final thoughts
Making a few healthy choices part of your schedule is particularly important as the nights draw in. Rather than playing online casino games or binging on Netflix, walking the dog for an extra 30 minutes in the evening will make a real difference. You’ll get your blood pumping, your muscles moving, and everything aligned with your wider goals.
The beauty of this way of life is that when summer comes back around, you’ll be feeling 10 times better than you do right now. Just what you want to hear when it’s time to live life on your own terms simply by aligning with the world around you.
Now it’s time for you to start putting things into practice.
Thank you for reading.
