Staying Positive Through Winter

With the major portion of the holidays behind us, and the onset of the long, dark winter days looming, I've been wondering how can I best stay positive during what may be the hardest winter any of us have ever experienced.

I recently came across a news article posted from the BBC that ran straight at the problem many of us may be contemplating. There are some obvious suggestions, but honestly the article offers a lot to consider. Here are the suggested topics; get moving, stop over-thinking, set a new target, talk it over and do it badly.

Number one - get moving. Make sure you get up and do something physical every day. There are endorphins released when we exercise that give us a natural high. With working from home, there is the opportunity to get involved in choosing a healthy lifestyle. Set a goal to get healthy with moving your body through a designed workout routine, or even a walk outside. An added bonus to spending a little time outside is that it will help boost your vitamin D which is reportedly important in the battle against COVID.

Number two - stop over-thinking. Don't play head games with your thoughts. One of my daughters likes to place post-its in her room that remind her to stay positive. There are also some great meditation apps to help you stay focused on what matters in life or simply to distract your mind from that negativity. Two of my go to apps are Calm, and Hallow. Calm offers relaxation with breathing exercises, music and even short stories. On the other hand, "Hallow" offers prayers and guided meditations to help you focus on God's word, which I also find very helpful in focusing on being a better person.

Number three - set a new target. Deciding on a goal can help you stay focused and give you a sense of being in control. If big ideas are daunting, go for something small and manageable.

Number four - offer to talk it over. This is similar to number 2. Don't stay alone, wrapped up in your head. The more you rehash issues or events over and over in your head, the more likely you can get trapped in a downward spiral, so reach out and talk to your family or friends. Go for physically distanced walks, talk, text and even better zoom with one another.

Lastly, at number five - do it badly. This is sort of an odd concept, and I think I am a bit guilty of this one, but I have to say I think this suggestion is one of my favorites! Don't wait for the situation to be perfect to do something, instead jump in and just do it. It is far better to have tried and had a bit of a mess than to have not tried at all. Go ahead, and get out of your comfort zone to try something new or tackle an old problem. Get involved, and don't hold back.

What are your plans to get through winter?