Ever notice how during the winter months that life seems to be a bit harder than usual? Even getting out of bed is a chore because you are met with snow on the ground, a cold day, cleaning your car off and bad roads while driving to work making your road rage worse than before? This all happens to me too, making me long for that summer weather even more – possibly even giving me the desire to move some place warm all year round. I searched the internet and come up with my own ways to battle those tiresome days to motivate you for your winter work day!
- That morning cup of Joe. Need I say more? At my work, the first thing we do is start a pot of coffee so the whole office smells like freshly brewed coffee. Once I finish my morning tasks, I have myself a cup of coffee. Let me tell you, after that first sip, I am ready for the rest of the day. The cold commute was worth it. It does not have to be a cup of coffee that makes you excited to go into work in the morning, possibly an awesome coworker you enjoy talking with to start your day. Maybe your employer serves your favorite breakfast in their cafeteria. Having something to look forward to in the morning right when you get there can help motivate you!
- Get physical. Whether exercising, going for a walk, or taking the stairs at work, physical activity will keep your mind, body, and spirit lively. Any type of physical activity to get your heart rate up will always put you in a better mood as it releases endorphins in your body – the feel good chemical!
- Get outside. Take a walk to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine when you can. If there are grey skies, take notice of how the snow falls peacefully and relax a bit! Are there any breaks in the clouds uncovering blue skies? English scientists reported results from their own studies that showed just five minutes of exercise outside resulted in improvements in self-esteem and mood (Harvard, 2010). Nature will revitalize you with the reward of something beautiful that can calm your mind and put things in to perspective for you when you need it most.
- Get enough sleep. Use the cozy weather to your advantage. Since winter is cold and flu season, make sure you do one of the best things to stay healthy and prevent illness—sleep!
- Re-evaluate your New Year’s Resolution. If your resolution list is already broken or it’s staring at you like an unfriendly math teacher, rip it up and start fresh. Write down a handful of goals that you actually want to do—things that make you excited for the weeks ahead.
- Eat healthy. We’re tempted to slip into our old eating habits during the winter months, but this is when healthy eating matters the most. If you eat a lot of sugary foods when you’re already feeling sluggish, you’ll be lucky to even answer an email. Eating healthy will give your body and mind the energy it needs. Make sure to take in more Vitamin D enriched foods due to the lack of sun as well – It can definitely help your mood and energy levels when you need it.
- Set yourself up for a fun summer. Now that most states are open for business, If your work is flexible, imagine being able to leave at 3 p.m. most days this summer because of the groundwork laid this winter. Those extra hours you put in now could really be to your benefit when the weather is nice! If you have a pretty tight work schedule, make sure you plan a fun packed summer with activities such as live concerts, fairs, and bonfires! Surely looking forward to a fun summer can get you through wild winter weather.
There you go, 7 tips for beating those winter blues. These tips are not just for people who need a “pick me up” at work, these tips are transferable and can help anyone who is feeling down in general due to the cold weather. Find what motivates you, get outdoors even though it is cold, make fun plans with friends for the summer, and form healthy habits.
Sources:
Publishing, H. (2010, July 10). A prescription for better health: Go alfresco. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco