The days are short, dark and cold, its winter and all you want to do is curl up in front of a fire, veg out and wait for summer. We get it. But notice how the more you do that, the more you need to do that?
Vegging out is good for you on occasion, but make it a habit and notice how quickly your energy levels dip. It becomes harder to get motivated and moving, especially on those days when the sun is in hiding.
I don’t know about you, but I get tired of being tired. There are goals to be reached, jobs to be done, and so much fun to be had… if you could just get going. That’s why we are highlighting these 5 ways to boost your mood and energy levels, naturally, this winter.
Vitamin D. The lack of sunshine over the winter months is a big contributing factor to the tiredness, moodiness, and irritability that accompany the winter blues and seasonal affective disorder. Up your vitamin D levels by drinking milk, eating fatty fish or taking a supplement.
Get Outside. Natural sunlight also helps with vitamin D levels. So get out for a walk on those sunny days and soak up as much sun as you can. But it is still important to get out on the not-so-sunny days as well. Being out in nature is a tried and true way to boost your mood, and you can increase this feeling by participating in winter activities. Skiing, snowboarding, skating or snowshoeing are fun ways to enjoy the winter months, will have you looking forward to getting out of the house, not to mention that the exercise releases those feel-good endorphins.
Bring Nature In. Houseplants are a great way to surround yourself with nature indoors. Studies have found that plants have a calming and mood-boosting effect on us and tending them can be quite therapeutic. Not only will houseplants brighten your mood and living or office space, but they will purify the air too!
Have a Party. Good friends, good food and good times equals good moods! Throwing a party will give you something to focus on and look forward to. It will also leave you feeling great after the fact. Socializing and surrounding yourself with others is a proven mood-booster. If you don’t want to host a big bash try arranging a mini getaway with friends or a fancy night out on the town.
Light Therapy. If you are still feeling the effects of the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder, light therapy is a simple and effective option. These lamps mimic sunlight and all you need to do is sit near one for about an hour a day. This may seem like a long time but will pass pretty quickly if you are sitting at a desk or watching a bit of T.V.
