subject: Winter Wellbeing Ideas To Beat The December Blues [print this page] There are usually two types of feelings that people have towards winter. The first of these is a readiness to welcome the lengthening nights, the promise of hearty meals, and the cosy atmosphere brought on by the darkening vista outside. The second is of course more problematic we dont want to accept the cold, the perpetual dark, the thought of huddling in the living room from the elements. In a sense, the latter view can be remedied and turned completely on its head with a little effort, producing massive benefits to your general wellbeing over the winter months. Here are some ideas:
Get into your winter food: Embrace the stodge! Its no good eating Mediterranean salads through to March; winter calls for hearty grub thats filling and full of goodness. Broths, ratatouille, root vegetable soups are ideal if youre really feeling adventurous, plant out some winter veg (garlic, onions) yourself to see that the cold and the wet dont ruin everything.
Chase the sun: Alright, it might be nippy, but even the coldest days can be fine and sunny, and give you that boost of goodness that only sunshine can provide. A quick walk on your lunch break through a nearby park when the weather is promising will not only wake you up from a drowsy mornings work, but youll get a chance to feel the sun on your face and get some fresh air to boot.
Dress for it: Summer dresses are only going to take you so far sooner or later youll have to change the wardrobe a little. Getting hold of a chunky-knit woollen jumper, some comfy gloves and a jolly old winter hat will be sure to change your mood when taking to the cold air of a morning. Its only by ignoring the change of weather and not responding to it that youre likely to freeze!
Make friends with it: Youre sure to dislike the onset of winter if you dont get out and observe it throw some warm clothes, some good boots and take a walk on a bracing day. If you have little ones, set them the challenge of making leaf rainbows (especially from maples); the range of colours is incredible, and serves to remind us that winter isnt all dull skies and failing vegetation, but a necessary process in the cycle of the seasons.
Stretch out those evenings: Theres no getting around it; over winter, after coming home from work, cooking and clearing up, you are likely to find yourself with only a few hours of relaxing time left. If you want to beat the cycle, do any food preparation you can in the mornings, and, what the hell, leave the pots overnight if its a question of you or them. Theyll not fall to pieces. A little reorganization can mean bags more time for you to unwind and refresh yourself.
