“Move that Bootie and Shake a Leg”
Winter can be a lonely and depressing time for many people. Where we live in northern Michigan, winter weather often arrives the first part of November and can last well into April. Once we do get snow, the temperatures are usually too cold to melt it until late into April. Having five months of winter can be hard on a person’s mental state. Too much of that weather and you develop cabin fever.
As I sit here in the Florida sunshine, I reflect on how fortunate my husband and I are. We just left behind snow and below freezing temperatures. Now we are taking in the sunshine of the Florida panhandle and temperatures in the 6o’s. However, I know that many people are not as fortunate. For various reasons, they cannot escape winter. Many will find they feel isolated and depressed. I worry about these people. It is nice to know there are many strategies you can follow to help you navigate winter.
It is important to develop a positive mindset when it comes to the winter months. Think about all the yard work you have to do the other three seasons. You don’t have to do that in the winter. You may have some snow to remove but usually not every day. Think about all the inside tasks you want to do but feel guilty about doing them when it is nice outside. Have you been waiting to put together a certain jig saw puzzle because you feel you should be doing something more productive?
I actually look forward to a cold dreary day. I can curl up in front of the fire with a good book, a hot cup of tea and not feel guilty. I can work on a particular scrapbook page I have wanted to start but was too busy pulling weeds and raking leaves. The three months of winter weather we do stay home for gives me time to work on my sewing. I have new projects in the works and nothing gets done on them when the weather is nice. Remember, it is all about mindset; turn the negative into a positive.
Set a schedule and follow it. Your mind will be focused on what you need to do and what you want to do and you won’t have time to think about the weather. Think of using a bullet journal. My journal is homemade and divided into six categories. They are growth, health, interests, family, home and money. I use my bullet journal to keep track of my daily, weekly and monthly tasks I have to complete. For instance, under growth one of the items I have listed is my morning routine. Under health I have my exercise tracker. Home is where my cleaning log is listed. I think you get the idea. I also have a page I have titled, “The High Point of my Day.” I like to list the wonderful things that happen as I go through the year. Today’s high point was taking a walk in the sunshine and warm temps.
Make sure you have a healthy diet. In the winter you usually don’t get a lot of sunlight which supplies the body with Vitamin D. Make sure you eat the foods that will supply this. Vitamin D is important to many body functions. Lack of Vitamin D can cause moodiness and depression. Foods high in Vitamin D are canned tuna, salmon, orange juice, cow’s milk and soy milk, cheese, egg yolks, shrimp, mushrooms and oatmeal. Also, make sure you eat a healthy breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. Many people put on weight in the winter because they eat out of boredom. Don’t give up your healthy eating. Be mindful of what you eat and why you are eating.
Force yourself to exercise. Staying active is essential in outsmarting the winter blues. Instead of hibernating, shake a leg and move that bootie. If it is not too cold outside, take a short walk, even if it is only around the yard. Fresh air is good for you. When it is too cold outside, I walk in our house. I have a set path and walk steadily for 15-20 minutes. You don’t have to power walk, just keep moving. You can also try chair yoga to stretch those muscles and joints. We are lucky where we are currently located. We have nearby parks and trails to keep us moving.
Be sure to socialize during the winter months. If you can, plan a lunch or meet up for coffee with a friend or relative. Plan a night in with your friends. Play cards or a good old-fashioned board game. If your church has a social hour after the service, stay and make some conversation. Make it a priority to call at least one person during the week to share how your week is going. If you have older relatives, call them at least once a week so they don’t feel so alone.
Winter is a great time to start a new hobby. Is there something you have always wanted to try but didn’t have the time or were afraid you weren’t talented enough? Go ahead and try it. After all, it is not like you are turning pro. I belong to an on-line photo club. Many of our members are professional photographers. However, that did not stop me from joining the club. I love to take photos and have learned so much about what makes a good photo. There are so many inexpensive hobbies that are both fun and easy. You may not think you are a good writer, but how about writing down your memories for the younger generation. Try your hand at drawing or painting. The possibilities are there.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Too many times people think you only need to drink a sufficient amount of water in the summer. This is not true. You need a minimum amount of water every day. I aim for 65-80 ounces. If it is a hot and humid day, I drink even more. Your body is comprised of 60% water. Just like you water a plant to keep it growing and healthy, you need to water your body. Remember, water keeps our organs working properly, helps nutrients get to our cells, regulates the temperature of your body, helps you sleep better, helps with your mood, and for people my age, water keeps my joints lubricated.
Make sure you get enough sleep. It is recommended that we get at least eight hours every night. It is the time your body needs to re-energize for the next day. Believe it or not, lack of sleep causes people to gain weight, have moodiness and messes with your immune system. Wellness is important and enough sleep is part of that. Set a specific bedtime as your target and try to hit the target. Turn off your electronics and give your mind a chance to unwind at least 30 minutes before bedtime. You will be surprised the difference this makes.
If you are fortunate enough to escape the cold winter weather like we are, yeah for you. However, if you aren’t one of the lucky ones, do not let winter get you down. Try some of these strategies and see if they help. Do not let yourself hibernate. Whole body wellness is all about body, mind and spirit. As American journalist Regina Brett said, “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.”
As always, “Don’t save today for tomorrow.”
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Excellent tips! Fortunately I live in southern Missouri where winters are short and mild. I’m grateful!
We moved to Florida within the last years ~ primarily because I could not tolerate the frigid temps anymore. However, now that we’re here, there are still “cold” days that chill me to the bone. Those days are great for writing, reading, games and household tasks that have been on my list for some time. I think it’s great when you have a list of things you want to accomplish when the weather isn’t the best for outdoor activities. It helps to prevent those “winter blues” you were talking about.
I love this. It can be hard to move in the winter months. I like to do yoga in the mornings to get some movement. Thank you for this post!
Winter blues are the worst you just have to get yourself out there and get to feeling better.
Great tips! The winter months can really take a toll on you
Great ideas! I live in SoCal so I don’t deal with too many cold days anymore but when we do, I’m always at a loss at what to do…we’re so used to the sunshine. I love these ideas and they remind me of what I would do as a kid growing up in Colorado.
The bullet journal is a keeper. I sometimes get overwhelmed in what to write. This keeps it simple and to the point.
Vanessa, I agree. This keeps it nice and simple. The highlight of my day today was walking around the marina at Pensacola Bay. It was a beautiful day.
I love these types of blog posts! This time of year is rough here in MN as well. In a way, I love the coziness of being indoors, but could definitely use a good dose of Florida sunshine, too.
Great ideas! I was born and raised in Wisconsin, I guess I just accepted the winter then…now I live in NC and it’s much easier. I do miss snow though! We will be heading to Florida in May to see my son, looking forward to that!
When I was younger, I didn’t like the winter so much – not into skiing at all. However, as I got older, I actually love the winter. In fact, right now it is 32 degrees (feels like 24) and I am getting ready to go for a short 2 mile run outside! Our winter here in Upstate NY has actually been mild and the snow has been non-existent. We have had more freezing rain than anything and that is a strange winter but either way – get outside!
We definitely have some SAD symptoms in our house. Thankful for your great list!!
Some good ideas. Thanks for sharing
I live in Wisconsin and dream of getting out as I cannot stand the winter. My daughter is in college in Arizona so luckily we visit her as often as we can. I think you had some great ideas for getting through the long winters in the cold states!
These are great suggestions! I live in Central Florida, so we don’t have much of these issues, luckily. However, if it’s below 70 degrees I would turn to some of your suggestions because my little face starts to frown. LOL.
We will be in Central Florida for a month during baseball spring training. We are currently in Pensacola.
Great post; I especially like the Highpoint of your day!
This is a great post. I live outside of Boston and the winter can get a bit much. We usually head down to Florida for the kids’ winter break. However, during the winter months, I tend to get things done around the house that I put off during the warm weather. Like, organize rooms in my house or deep clean it. I also scrapbook and play catch up with that during the colder months.
Winter is tough! I need to plan a trip to sunshine!
This is such a great post! I love that you gave so many ideas and mindset shifts. I love the idea of journaling the highlight of your day. That’s awesome!
Kendra, thank you. Journaling helps me when I finally get around to scrapbooking the photos I take on our trips.
I live in FL too. I just spent 5 days in NYC and I can no longer imagine doing that long term. Great tips for those who are in the winter blues!
As a native of southern Florida, I cannot even imagine dealing with the winter months. I spend 7 years up in Charlotte and that was about all I could handle. I did learn that it is important to take care of yourself because the cold can really effort you emotionally and physically.
really great thoughts! I love a good ‘go to’ list like this
Love your journal with the categories!
Great tips! I live in Michigan too, and it can get so dreary! I love the idea of taking up an indoor hobby like scrapbooking- I would love to do that!
I love to scrapbook and it really is fun and easy to do.
i lived in Alaska for 8 years and can understand the winter blues. This is so real and trying to get out can be challenging. Thank you for sharing.