The post-holiday crash can leave many dreading the winter months that follow. Take small steps to make each day a chance to improve your life. Here are five ways to make it happen.
.JPG)
Get bright
The cold, gray days of winter can leave you counting down until spring; why not bring the colors of spring into your life a little early! A bright pink nail polish can provide a pop of color to cold, dry hands. A punchy scarf or mittens can also bring color to your winter coat. Don’t forget about your home — let your little artists create a watercolor masterpiece in bright shades. A cheerful coffee mug can help brighten a dreary morning. Get creative with color and your mood will surely improve this winter.
Swap a TV show for a book
Winter is the perfect TV-watching season, but too often our DVRs pile up with mindless shows. Give your eyes and ears a break and tune in to a book of your choice. If you have time for a 30-minute reality show, you certainly have time for a book! Whether you’re into the latest bestselling trilogy or would rather dive into a historical biography, the time you spend reading will stimulate your mind in the dark winter months.
Recommit to the family dinner
Most food resolutions are motivated by weight loss, but not this one. Choose a simple recipe your family enjoys, and commit to making it once a week. Make sure you and your spouse are home from work on time and the kids don’t have activities. Just 30 minutes together at the table can be crucial to forming strong family bonds. As our lives get busier with external commitments and technology, it’s nice to sit down together without distractions. Bonus points if you can make it happen more than once a week!
Stretch
Let’s be honest – you don’t have time for an hour-long workout each day. But you probably have an extra five minutes right when you wake up, and five more before you go to sleep. In the morning, a quick stretch can help open your eyes and wake up your body for the day. Open the curtains and let light in as you stretch your arms up above your head, and side to side. At night, dim the lights. Stretching before sleep can help take your mind off a hectic day. Focus on slowing down your breath with a seated forward-fold, reaching your hands towards your feet.
Clear out your junk
Make room for gifts you might have received and weed out any unnecessary clutter; keep only items you truly love and you’ll feel a sense of lightness in the heavy winter months. Start with your notorious clutter spots (under beds and extra closets are good places to start) and move on to kids’ rooms, junk drawers and your office. Donate, sell, or trash items that no longer serve a purpose. By the end of winter, you’ll have a head start on spring-cleaning.
Stretch
Let’s be honest – you don’t have time for an hour-long workout each day. But you probably have an extra five minutes right when you wake up, and five more before you go to sleep. In the morning, a quick stretch can help open your eyes and wake up your body for the day. Open the curtains and let light in as you stretch your arms up above your head, and side to side. At night, dim the lights. Stretching before sleep can help take your mind off a hectic day. Focus on slowing down your breath with a seated forward-fold, reaching your hands towards your feet.
Clear out your junk
Make room for gifts you might have received and weed out any unnecessary clutter; keep only items you truly love and you’ll feel a sense of lightness in the heavy winter months. Start with your notorious clutter spots (under beds and extra closets are good places to start) and move on to kids’ rooms, junk drawers and your office. Donate, sell, or trash items that no longer serve a purpose. By the end of winter, you’ll have a head start on spring-cleaning.
Originally written for mylifemyflavor.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment