When the seasons change and the days get shorter, it can seem like a good idea to shut in, cozy up, and eat all the holiday treats your heart desires. And that’s exactly what you should do, every once in awhile. Do this too much, however, and you’ll probably start to notice it affecting your health.
Winter time, especially around the holidays, can be stressful for many people. Not only are you still dealing with work and maintaining your home life, you’re now dealing with holiday parties, lots of extra cooking, and maybe even severe weather changes. It’s a lot to handle! Maintaining your regular workout schedule and healthy diet this time of year can be inconsistent at best.
Since this time of year tends to be extra stressful and difficult to maintain your healthy habits, it’s just that much more important to find new ways of relieving stress. Here are some ways to help keep centered and healthy this winter:
Yoga
If you don’t feel up to leaving the house and hitting the gym, yoga is the perfect way to get your blood moving. Not only is yoga great for your body, it’s great for your mind and for relieving stress. A quick search will provide numerous options to practice yoga from the comfort of your own home.
Meditation
I’m sure you’ve heard of meditation before. Maybe you’ve even given it a try. It’s now commonly practiced by all types of people around the world. But did you know there are many different types of meditation?
- Mindfulness
- Spiritual
- Focused
- Movement
- Mantra
- Transcendental
Which meditation will be best for you? Try them all and find out! If you decide meditation isn’t your thing, that’s okay too! You could try daily affirmations instead.
Get a Massage
One of the best ways to relieve stress no matter what time of year is to get a massage from a certified massage therapist. When you’re feeling down in the cold and dark winter weather, a massage will help you feel better from the inside out.
Massage helps relieve tension in your body and helps clear your mind. so that it reads “if you need to let it all go, lay down on the massage table, let it all go, and put your worries in the hands of a professional.
Play Outside!
That’s right, you’re gonna have to get outside this winter! Watch the forecast and make your move on a sunny day. In winter, sunshine is a hot commodity. Take advantage of any sunny days you get by picking one of these outdoor winter activities:
- Snowshoeing
- Sledding
- Snowboarding
- Skiing
- Ice skating
- Walk the dog
- Attend community events
- Walk around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights
- Build a snowman!
If you’ve tried yoga, meditation, and some fun outdoor activities but you’re still feeling the winter blues, this might be a good sign to reach out for some help.
Ask for Some Help
If you can’t muster up the motivation to leave the house this winter, ask a friend for help! Yoga classes and outdoor activities are a lot more fun with friends and family. Or start a Facebook group to get a few people involved in the winter fun.
If you find you’re struggling with the winter blues or you’re experiencing symptoms of SAD every winter, say something about it to your primary care physician or family nurse. They can give advice based on their years of training and experience.
Yoga, meditation, and outdoor activities are a great way to relieve stress this winter, whether you’re dealing with family woes or symptoms of SAD. So call up a friend, go do something fun, and enjoy your holiday!
About the Author
Frankie Wallace is a freelance writer who currently resides in Boise, ID. Her favorite yoga pose is downward dog, but only when her cat, Casper decides to participate.
