We are practically in the middle of January! Yet, many have been in a winter rut since the beginning of December haha. Perhaps even before then! If you live in areas that get flooded with snow and hit with frigid temperatures, then chances are you’re ready for spring to roll around anytime, and the promise of sunshine. Therefore, if you’re someone whose mood tends to be susceptible to the weather, then today’s post on how to get out of a winter rut is for you!
Lately, I have found ways to manage my mood based on the weather and time of day. And thank God I did! This is why I decided to put together my top 4 tips for you since these have definitely impacted my overall mindset in a positive way! Plus, they have helped me develop a sense of calm when I’m stuck in a winter rut. Let’s get into them!
1. Move and meditate
One of my favorite ways to warm up in the winter is by movement. Mainly because our bodies tend to get so tense and tight during the colder months. Therefore, any kind of movement and physical activity feels so incredible to start your day when you have to crawl out of your nice, warm bed in the morning or at night after your fingers and toes have been freezing all day long.
With that, try doing some light stretching at home or get out and take an intense workout class. Either way, it’ll help beat the blues, warm you up, and get those endorphins going. Personally, I work out in my garage gym. Each morning I go downstairs, turn my space heater on in the garage, and let it warm up while I drink a cup of coffee. But, you do you! 😘
Lastly, don’t forget to wrap up with meditation. This always helps me keep the good post-workout vibes lasting much longer. Plus, it doesn’t even last that long and it’s the perfect way to begin or end the day!
2. Embrace hygge
You may be asking yourself, “what the heck is hygge?!” Hygge is the Danish word defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being,” in other words…make your environment (living space) and life cozy AF 😜).
Things that I like to do that create hygge include taking a bubble bath, baking cookies, doing long relaxing at-home facials, and having a candle burning at pretty much all times throughout my day. P.S: lighting a candle first thing in the morning is so tranquil and allows you to start the day on a relaxed and calm note.
3. Kondo it up
I’m sure you’ve all heard of the ingenious Marie Kondo by now! If not, a quick google search will explain her brilliance. The colder months are the perfect time to clean out, organize, de-clutter your entire house…or your life haha? Not to mention, who doesn’t typically add “de-cluttering” or “organizing” to their new year’s resolution list?!
Either way, you can take a look at her method in her best-selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. You’ll have a fresh perspective and brighter disposition when you’re surrounded only by things that are bringing you joy!
4. Spend time indoors (tech-free)
It is so tempting to use the cold as an excuse to binge-watch every show on Netflix or Pinterest the day away. While these activities can be fun in the moment, they usually leave us feeling a little groggy, unproductive, and unmotivated after too long. For that reason, I love the idea of taking some intentional tech-free time in the winter.
What is something you avoid doing in the summertime, because it’s indoors, but forget about when you’re sitting around on a cold evening? For me it’s going to see a show of some sort (comedy, ballet, a play), hitting the bowling alley with friends (how nostalgic!), trying out a new workout class, cooking a healthy dinner at home, or simply pulling out some cards or a board game for the evening.
Try it! You’ll be surprised at how refreshed (mentally and spiritually) you’ll feel after taking an hour or so to step away from your phone and enjoy the activities you’ve been wanting to do!
I hope you’ve found these ideas helpful and take action on them next time you’re feeling cabin fever or stuck in a winter rut!
What are some ways that you get out of a winter rut?
Let me know in the comments!
xo, Cydney
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