Ever find yourself wishing that life would cheer up at this time of year? How about your energy? Is it in need of a boost now that the long nights and cold mornings seem like they are here to stay? The good news for you is that you’re not alone. In fact, there are so many of us that feel like you may do right now that we’ve put together the ultimate guide to beating the blues. Let’s dive right in!
Energy boosting smoothies
The beauty of giving your body the fuel it needs is that you can find so many different ways to start your day the right way. Blueberries taste great and are bursting with age-defying antioxidants that will help your body look and feel good on every level. Bananas are a source of essential minerals that can boost your energy at a cellular level by driving the processes that make your body work. And celery is a richly nutritious food that can be easily blended and used as a green base.
Not quite convinced you’re going to like the taste of all that? We suggest starting with creamy oat milk and a banana. This will give your smoothie the right starting point so that the rest of the fruits and veggies out there can work their magic. Trying to pick as many different shades and tones as possible is the way to go. Why? Because it will give you the most varied and diverse range of micronutrients to fuel your body with.
Waist-tie coats will lift your mood
Outfits that allow you to wrap up warm but still flatter your figure may feel like they are in short supply at this time of year, but there’s something you’ve been overlooking. A classic waist-tie coat will help you celebrate your curves and highlight your hourglass figure while keeping the winter chills at bay. This is good news for those of you who already know that one of the best ways to feel good is to look even better.
You could pair your classic coat with a selection of contemporary scarves and leather mittens with a woolen lining. Having a couple of different shades and patterns will allow you to mix things up so that you can change your winter outfit throughout the week. A great idea for those of you who want to get creative with a stylish touch here and there.
A natural light alarm clock
If you want to start your day so you’re bursting full of energy, the best approach is to wake up at sunrise. We’ve not evolved to wake up late in the morning or have an alarm clock blaring at us when we feel we need another couple of hours in bed. The problem with winter is that the sunrise is often so late that many of us walk out into the darkness on our way to work. The answer is to invest a little of your hard-earned money in a natural light alarm clock.
By mimicking the exact wavelengths and intensities of light that the sunrise produces, a natural light alarm clock aligns perfectly with your circadian rhythm. By waking up in a way that your body was designed for — rather than hearing your alarm clock going off — you will be able to ease yourself into the day the natural way. Not only will you awaken gradually, your body will also have the time to flush the sleep hormones out of your body. The result will be a new you that is bursting full of energy from the moment you hop out of bed.
Practice the art of mindfulness
One of the keys to feeling good about yourself at this time of year is to be present in the moment. While it’s easy to pick up your phone and scroll on sites like Facebook, Bonus Focus, and YouTube, there’s nothing like feeling a real connection with the people and places around you. Try it this evening by leaving your phone in the kitchen and you will notice the difference. At first it might feel a little strange not to be able to check your messages or look up the first question that pops into your head, but stick with it and the magic will start to happen.
Mindfulness is all about enjoying the moment for what it is, as opposed to constantly darting off some place else in search of stimulation. As mindfulness becomes a daily habit, you’ll find that your short term and long term memory improves, your attention span increases, and your mental energy level dramatically improves. These three things will make all the difference to the way you feel about the winter months and can put you in a much more positive frame of mind.
Make time to be alone outside
While it’s perfectly natural to feel less than enthusiastic about venturing out into the cold at this time of year, the benefits really do make it worthwhile. The fresh air, exercise, and break from the hustle and bustle of family life will all help you feel more relaxed in body and mind. When we’re stressed and under pressure our muscles tighten up to protect us, that’s why you often feel like you want to curl up when things seem to be getting the better of you. A quick walk at a brisk pace will keep you supple and help you burn a few calories.
Even just 15 minutes a day will help you break things up and give your muscles enough exercise to get the blood pumping. If you’re feeling more adventurous, joining a local running group and treating yourself to a high-vis vest and head torch could be well worth taking a closer look at.
No matter which shift you decide to add to your life first, we can tell you that the results will speak for themselves.
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