The Whole Cure Wellness Wednesday: Break Free of the Winter Blahs

 AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored but contains affiliate links for products that I use myself. These products and the information provided should not be considered medical advice.  Amazon and other merchants offer a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Prices are exactly the same for you if your purchase through an affiliate link or a non-affiliate link. Thank you!

This time of year between the winter holidays and the rebirth of spring can bring on the winter blahs. With less daylight, cold weather causing us to spend more time indoors and a tendency to be less active, our mood and mindset can easily become out of balance during this season.

Many of us feel less energetic, have an irregular appetite, experiencing difficulty concentrating or become sad during the winter months. In fact, at least 25% of Americans suffer from a mild case of blues in the winter.  

If you are feeling a bit blah and ready to hibernate until spring, consider some of these strategies to rebalance and enjoy the season!

Allow Yourself To Rest

With less sunlight and colder temperatures, it is natural to seek more rest in the colder months. Rest is crucial for our health all year round and is especially crucial to help us cope with the winter blahs. As our bodies are exposed to fewer hours of sunlight during shorter days, the pineal gland in the brain produces more melatonin which makes us feel sleepy.

Instead of forcing yourself to stick to the same schedule year-round or feeling guilty for taking a nap or going to bed early, use this as an opportunity to get in touch with and listen to your body. When you feel tired, get some extra sleep. If your body is telling you to do a gentle yoga session instead of go for a long run, listen. If you feel run down, take some quiet time for meditation or a guided relaxation exercise. Notice how your body naturally works to keep you in balance. 

Break out of a Rut

When things feel monotonous and you get stuck in the winter blahs, it can be hard to feel motivated. One way to break out of the winter rut is to set a new, meaningful goal that is attainable and realistic.

Studies show that having a renewed sense of purpose increases fulfillment and happiness, and this is one of the benefits I see repeatedly in participants in my Whole Cure Lifestyle Transformation Program Mindset Module. Take time to do something for fun, allow yourself to play or try out a new recipe.

Even if you feel stuck in the same daily routine,  try having a new mindset. Consciously open yourself to seeing the world with new eyes. Pay attention to where you can find beauty which you previously overlooked.

Learn Something New

A fantastic way to feel re-energized is to learn something new. This could be a great time to try out a new yoga class, sign up for an online college course, download an app to learn a new language, try out a new recipe or take an ecourse to improve your health. 

Some of my favorite resources for online educational courses include:

• Coursera where you can take free online classes from over 120 top universities in everything from ethics to statistics to environmental sciences. 
• edX which offers free access to online education from worldwide institutions in a wide variety of subject areas.
• The Simple Pure Whole ecourse library with a variety of online options for exploring healthy eating, non-toxic lifestyles and the power of a positive mindset.

  • To get started try out one of my popular e-courses!

• Duolingo is a free app that makes learning a new language into a game. 

Nourish Your Skin and Body with Massage

Dry, flaky, cracked and itchy winter skin plagues many. Between the cold wind outdoors and the dry artificial heat indoors, our skin is under continuous assault all winter long. Fortunately, there some key lifestyle habits for maintaining healthy, moist and comfortable winter skin while enjoying cozy days indoors and exciting outdoor winter activities!

Abhyanga or oil-massage is an Ayruvedic practice that nourishes the body and soothes the mind. It is especially balancing in the cold, dry winter months and can be incorporated into your routine for some restorative self-care. 

Massage your skin with warm, organic sesame oil to soothe the nervous system and keep your skin moist. You may also desire to rub a drop of sesame or coconut oil inside your nasal passages to keep them moist and lubricated during the dry cool weather.

This winter, try shifting your mindset and using this as a time of renewal and re-energizing so that you can emerge refreshed and renewed with a positive perspective come spring!

Ready to invest in yourself and avoid the winter blahs?

I welcome you to my free Insider’s Wellness Community for special opportunities, inspiration, wellness tools and more! Join us for free today and access a free preview of The Whole Cure and your free stress management guide here and get your copy of The Whole Cure in paperback or Kindle on Amazon for you or to give as a meaningful gift!

Other upcoming opportunities:

• 3-Month Simple | Pure | Whole^TM Wellness Solution Essential Lifestyle Coaching Program! Get personalized one-on-one attention and transformational coaching to address your physical and emotional body, lifestyle and habits with customized virtual transformational wellness coaching! 
• The Whole Cure: 52 Essential Prescriptions for Overcoming Overwhelm, Reclaiming Balance and Reconnecting with a Life You Love!  Commit to yourself with 52 simple yet profound stress management techniques that you can work on throughout the year to change your mindset and find greater peace, calm and balance!
• The Whole Cure Lifestyle Transformation Mindset Module one of my most popular online group coaching programs for lasting transformation and meaningful stress management that can shift your entire life! 
• Check out all my favorite Simple Pure Whole products and opportunities here for a customized path to great and lasting vibrant health!

                                                                                                 

                            

Every body is unique so be sure to check with your health care professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. These are products and techniques that I use and should not be considered medical advice.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Prices are exactly the same for you if your purchase through an affiliate link or a non-affiliate link. I never, ever endorse a product or service that I would not purchase myself. I only share resources that I have personal experience with and can therefore recommend without reservation. Affiliate commission helps to support the maintenance of my blog so I can continue to bring you free, value-filled resources. Thank you for your support!

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