It’s no secret that winter can be a dreadful month. With the cold weather, the gloomy skies, and fewer hours of daylight, it is not uncommon to find yourself somewhat in a slump during the winter. As tricky as these cold, dark months can be, there is always a way to pull yourself out of that funk and get your groove back. Here are ways to feel more like yourself and get your groove back as you head into spring!
- Get some fresh air!
During the winter months, it is very easy to find yourself staying indoors, enjoying the warmth of your home and avoiding the cold as much as possible. We’ve all been there, but as the weather changes and spring arrives, getting outside is the best feeling in the world. There is nothing better than breathing in the fresh air on those crisp spring mornings or feeling the afternoon sun absorbing into your skin. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful air and nature that the spring months offer!
- Start a new hobby.
One of the best ways, and one of my personal favourite ways, to feel better as I head into spring is to try a new hobby. Making yourself busy with something personally productive is one of the best ways to feel better. There are endless things for you to try like; it can be as simple as reading, or it could be something more challenging like computer coding. Hobbies are relative, and everyone is different, so try things out and choose whatever floats your boat!
- Build a new routine.
Starting a new routine for spring is crucial to getting back into your groove. Whether you start from scratch or update a routine, making even the slightest change will fill you with this forgotten sense of satisfaction. This feeling of gratification is what helps you get that pep in your step. So whether it’s a morning routine, night routine, or after-class routine, give it a shake-up and see what happens.
- Move your body.
Winter is a hard month to find the motivation to be active. It’s cold outside, and there’s always so much going on. If you find yourself avoiding physical activity, just know you are not alone. However, moving your body is a key factor for mental and physical wellness. The weather gets warmer, and the days get longer, giving you the ultimate opportunity to get your body moving! Something important to keep in mind is that it’s okay to start small. Go for a walk, and do some at-home yoga. Find what works best for you and roll with it.
- Reconnect with your people.
Staying at home curled up in bed is all I ever want to do during the winter, but I often lose touch with people. It’s easy to distance yourself and not want to make plans during the winter. As you head into spring, try reconnecting with the people you may have lost touch with. It can be a small check-in or a big reunion. Either way, surrounding yourself with people who make you happy will make you feel ten times better!
- Be kind to yourself
Last but not least, be kind to yourself. It may sound redundant, but it is so easy to hyperfixate on the things you don’t like about yourself. Winter can bring about dark clouds, so it is important to remember that it is okay if you don’t feel great or aren’t happy, and you don’t need to bring yourself down. Remember that you are who you are meant to be, and everyone’s process of feeling better is different, so show yourself some compassion and move at your own pace!