Mentally fitter in the Winter!
Today's post is going to be a little bit different from my usual. It's not going to get deep, so do not worry. However, I'm going to be talking about how I like to keep my mind fit during the Winter months where, especially in the north, the dark nights creep in. It's cold, it's wet and it's miserable. Couple that with going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark ends up having an all round negative effect on your thoughts, your mood and your overall mental health.
I have to admit that Winter is my all time favourite season. With that said, I do tend to suffer most in the Winter. It's a busy time of year for everyone! You spend months before Christmas, shopping, gift giving and exchanging, nights out, attending pantomimes, concerts and Christmas shows, carol singing, writing endless lists of things to do to make Christmas perfect for everyone - which happen to be something which i LOVE to do! I love shopping and getting into the spirit of Christmas. However, then it is all over - quick as a flash and instead of being a time for holiday, Christmas ends up being a melee of stress and exhaustion and the day itself you end up spending relaxing in pajamas as the climax of several months work comes to a head.
So I've written down a little list of how I've kept on top of my anxious mind and written down several strategies which seemed to help during this time of year.
1. Supplements!
Ensuring your body has is working as best as it could be, means ensuring that it has enough fuel in the tank to take it where you're going. Multivitamins, especially those with minerals are essential at this time of year. If like us in the north, you are not exposed to enough sun light in the Summer months, you could possibly get away with taking a combination of multivitamin and vitamin d to perk you up.
2. Get outdoors!
When the dark nights creep in and the days roll into a continual vortex of rain, hail, sleet, rain, snow, rain, wind, rain and more rain, it is not easy to get out and exercise. However, I feel especially this time of year, it is important to get out in the fresh air and get those endorphin's going. So, I've learned to wrap up and get out and about - regardless of the weather. The fresh air definitely helps clear the foggy brain and helps you sleep and think better. If you don't have enough time in your day then try to find time. I like going a walk in my lunch break. The recommended daily exercise for an adult is 40 minutes but obviously this should be used in conjunction to the situation. If there were gale force winds forecast, I wouldn't be such an ambassador for outside exercise, so, do be sensible! If you do find you can't get out because the weather is just a little too fierce, get some cardio done in the house or the gym. I always feel better after scrubbing, hoovering and washing. It's not exactly a workout but serves as a vital distraction.
3. Expected visitors
I would usually say - boys, this is the time you turn a blind eye, but I won't because you guys need to hear it too! Speaking for the female population, that 'time of the month' historically has been known to affect our mood, our thoughts and our motivation. I now understand why they called it 'the curse' back in the day because it plays havoc with our emotions and our thinking. Learn to keep a track of when you feel sensitive, happy, sad or emotional. You get a range of apps for your phone to help you and it takes the information you give it to give you an overall picture. A lot of the time my mood and my thoughts were related to my cycle. The week leading up to it and the first three days of my p are the worst and I know if I get through those days, I will feel much better. Knowing you're going to feel better really is the boost you need when you feel like you're at rock bottom.
4. Self-help
When I found myself showing physical signs of panic and anxiety, I literally did not know what to do. I had always been an anxious child but I just thought it was part of my makeup and part of who I was. Anxiety can be extremely scary and for someone who is so 'in control' - I certainly went from one end of the spectrum to the next in record timing. Relaxation and meditation really helped with this and prioritising my 'jobs to do'. There is a really good app called 'calm' which offers instructed meditation and I've found this really helpful before my bed each night. It helped me get to sleep and enjoy a good sleep. There are obviously lots of other things that can help such as yoga and CBT which involve focusing on your breathing and thought processes. Try different things out.
5. Food
When you go to visit a friend in hospital - what do you take to them? Normally, fruit or a whole and hearty soup.. Therefore, what we need to help us get better, think better, clearer, more positive, is staring right at us everyday. I, for one, can say that as an individual I have not used food in it's preferred way for quite some time. Rushing between one thing and the next, grabbing something quick for dinner, lunch or breakfast is fine for a short time but can really take it's toll on the body and the mind. We need to start using food as our medicine. Ensure that you eat adequate fruit, vegetables, protein, carbs and fats every day. I have recently avoided anything with caffeine, aspartame or unnatural food colourings or flavourings as this is definitely a trigger for the way I feel at this time of year. I have found it hard to go back to using 'full fat' food sources in my diet such as oils, butter, cream etc because we exist in a culture where the latest diet is telling us that 'sugar free' is the best thing for weight loss. What they don't tell you, is 'sugar free' is just another name for an unnatural chemical posing as a sweetener which is going to play havoc on your body. Eat natural foods in proportion and you won't have to worry.
6. Sleep
So important! When I think back to how little I got in my student days, I wonder how I ever coped! Sleep is so vital for your body to heal and repair itself. Doing all the things I've mentioned here already will help you get a decent night sleep as it really can help.
7. Socialise
There is no better distraction than seeing your friends and hanging out. Sometimes they don't even need to say anything, just being in company is enough to help lift your mood and if you've met up with friends and you didn't feel like it, reward yourself :) That was brave and you're taking steps forward. Even get out and about around town, window shopping, soaking in the atmosphere.
8. Write
Start a journal of anything meaningful that happens in your day. It could be that someone complimented you on your makeup, or you had a really productive driving lesson, you finally handed in your assessment or you went outside when you really wanted to stay at home. As someone who likes writing lists anyway, I find writing down my thoughts on paper helps to get them 'out' and in turn helps to process them in a conducive manner.
9. Find your distraction
Writing doesn't always help everyone so find your distraction! It could be dancing, singing, reading, writing, watching funny YouTube Videos! Something that gives you five minutes respite from the chaos.
_______________________________________________________________
I have to admit that Winter is my all time favourite season. With that said, I do tend to suffer most in the Winter. It's a busy time of year for everyone! You spend months before Christmas, shopping, gift giving and exchanging, nights out, attending pantomimes, concerts and Christmas shows, carol singing, writing endless lists of things to do to make Christmas perfect for everyone - which happen to be something which i LOVE to do! I love shopping and getting into the spirit of Christmas. However, then it is all over - quick as a flash and instead of being a time for holiday, Christmas ends up being a melee of stress and exhaustion and the day itself you end up spending relaxing in pajamas as the climax of several months work comes to a head.
So I've written down a little list of how I've kept on top of my anxious mind and written down several strategies which seemed to help during this time of year.
1. Supplements!
Ensuring your body has is working as best as it could be, means ensuring that it has enough fuel in the tank to take it where you're going. Multivitamins, especially those with minerals are essential at this time of year. If like us in the north, you are not exposed to enough sun light in the Summer months, you could possibly get away with taking a combination of multivitamin and vitamin d to perk you up.
2. Get outdoors!
When the dark nights creep in and the days roll into a continual vortex of rain, hail, sleet, rain, snow, rain, wind, rain and more rain, it is not easy to get out and exercise. However, I feel especially this time of year, it is important to get out in the fresh air and get those endorphin's going. So, I've learned to wrap up and get out and about - regardless of the weather. The fresh air definitely helps clear the foggy brain and helps you sleep and think better. If you don't have enough time in your day then try to find time. I like going a walk in my lunch break. The recommended daily exercise for an adult is 40 minutes but obviously this should be used in conjunction to the situation. If there were gale force winds forecast, I wouldn't be such an ambassador for outside exercise, so, do be sensible! If you do find you can't get out because the weather is just a little too fierce, get some cardio done in the house or the gym. I always feel better after scrubbing, hoovering and washing. It's not exactly a workout but serves as a vital distraction.
3. Expected visitors
I would usually say - boys, this is the time you turn a blind eye, but I won't because you guys need to hear it too! Speaking for the female population, that 'time of the month' historically has been known to affect our mood, our thoughts and our motivation. I now understand why they called it 'the curse' back in the day because it plays havoc with our emotions and our thinking. Learn to keep a track of when you feel sensitive, happy, sad or emotional. You get a range of apps for your phone to help you and it takes the information you give it to give you an overall picture. A lot of the time my mood and my thoughts were related to my cycle. The week leading up to it and the first three days of my p are the worst and I know if I get through those days, I will feel much better. Knowing you're going to feel better really is the boost you need when you feel like you're at rock bottom.
4. Self-help
When I found myself showing physical signs of panic and anxiety, I literally did not know what to do. I had always been an anxious child but I just thought it was part of my makeup and part of who I was. Anxiety can be extremely scary and for someone who is so 'in control' - I certainly went from one end of the spectrum to the next in record timing. Relaxation and meditation really helped with this and prioritising my 'jobs to do'. There is a really good app called 'calm' which offers instructed meditation and I've found this really helpful before my bed each night. It helped me get to sleep and enjoy a good sleep. There are obviously lots of other things that can help such as yoga and CBT which involve focusing on your breathing and thought processes. Try different things out.
5. Food
When you go to visit a friend in hospital - what do you take to them? Normally, fruit or a whole and hearty soup.. Therefore, what we need to help us get better, think better, clearer, more positive, is staring right at us everyday. I, for one, can say that as an individual I have not used food in it's preferred way for quite some time. Rushing between one thing and the next, grabbing something quick for dinner, lunch or breakfast is fine for a short time but can really take it's toll on the body and the mind. We need to start using food as our medicine. Ensure that you eat adequate fruit, vegetables, protein, carbs and fats every day. I have recently avoided anything with caffeine, aspartame or unnatural food colourings or flavourings as this is definitely a trigger for the way I feel at this time of year. I have found it hard to go back to using 'full fat' food sources in my diet such as oils, butter, cream etc because we exist in a culture where the latest diet is telling us that 'sugar free' is the best thing for weight loss. What they don't tell you, is 'sugar free' is just another name for an unnatural chemical posing as a sweetener which is going to play havoc on your body. Eat natural foods in proportion and you won't have to worry.
6. Sleep
So important! When I think back to how little I got in my student days, I wonder how I ever coped! Sleep is so vital for your body to heal and repair itself. Doing all the things I've mentioned here already will help you get a decent night sleep as it really can help.
7. Socialise
There is no better distraction than seeing your friends and hanging out. Sometimes they don't even need to say anything, just being in company is enough to help lift your mood and if you've met up with friends and you didn't feel like it, reward yourself :) That was brave and you're taking steps forward. Even get out and about around town, window shopping, soaking in the atmosphere.
8. Write
Start a journal of anything meaningful that happens in your day. It could be that someone complimented you on your makeup, or you had a really productive driving lesson, you finally handed in your assessment or you went outside when you really wanted to stay at home. As someone who likes writing lists anyway, I find writing down my thoughts on paper helps to get them 'out' and in turn helps to process them in a conducive manner.
9. Find your distraction
Writing doesn't always help everyone so find your distraction! It could be dancing, singing, reading, writing, watching funny YouTube Videos! Something that gives you five minutes respite from the chaos.
_______________________________________________________________
Let me know what you think about these points and message me with the thing that help you keep on track during this time of year :)
Lots of love
Lauren
xoxo
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