5 Ways To Nurture And Energise Yourself This Winter

Winter is here again and it’s a vital time for some self care! It’s so important to be doings things to nurture and energise ourselves. It feels like the events of the year are catching up with us! It feels like we are nearing the end of a race, the winning line is within view but you feel like your mind and body are at war with each other. Like running through thick treacle. Does that sound familiar?

The year has been emotionally and physically testing for many of us. With so much change to adapt to, it is natural that it can feel overwhelming for some. Add to that shorter, darker days and cold weather, well I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to curl up and hibernate under your bed covers until it all passes. It’s a vital time for some self care!

What are you doing to nurture and energise yourself this winter? Here are a few ideas…

1. Keep warm.

A tense mind results in a tense body and vice versa, a tense body results in a tense mind. This time of year I find that more patients come in with neck and shoulder pains and arthritic pains become aggravated by the cold also. Indoors, it’s time to take out those heat packs, hot-water bottles, wheat bags or whatever methods of heat application you choose. Get those Epsom bath salts out and get those warm cozy baths running! Outdoors, dust off those scarves, gloves, thermals and hats! Get some heat into those muscles and joints of yours. I recommend focusing on the shoulders and neck. These are the areas we hold soooo much tension in. The cold aggravates it as does stress and looking down at your phone/laptop/ipad/book/kindle etc. And we’ve had a whole lot of extra stress and extra time looking down at gadgets this year! Keeping warm will help you feel nurtured and keep you energised and positive.

2. Go for a walk out side.

Feels like it contradicts the first bit of advice right? However, being out in the open, ideally in a park/ green area or somewhere close to nature is very grounding. Make sure you layer up first! The fresh air and taking your eyes off a screen or page and focussing on nature will help keep you present and can calm your mind. A relaxing or even brisk walk, even just around the block, gets those joints moving, boosts circulation, gets that heart and lungs working and even helps get some movement in your digestive system! All these areas become super sluggish and congested when we sit for long periods. Remember your body is designed to be upright and is not designed to be sitting for long periods!

4. Keep moving indoors.

It doesn’t need to be intense movement. Even regular 10min stretches throughout the day can again help boost your circulations, get those happy hormone endorphins flowing and boost mindset and body. If you are feeling stuck for ideas on what to do, you may find some inspiration in my free online remedial movement and back care classes every Saturday at 9.30am.

4. Eat well.

It’s comfort food season! I’m not at all suggesting eating cold salads through these colder months. In fact I recommend sticking to warm foods to introduce heat to the body. Stews, soups, bakes…all comfort foods, perfect for winter and also easy to pack full of a nice variation of wholesome veggies. For you meat lovers, bone broths can be super healing and make a nice base to soups and stews. Remember the key to eating healthy is balance and moderation.

5. Focus on the positive/ maintain a positive mindset.

What does that even mean? Well, your focus hugely impacts your mind, then your thoughts, then your mood. The reduced sunlight and shorter days can leave us feeling low in energy and mood. Fatigue can feel like a low mood and we even have a phrase ‘The Winter Blues’. Remember that YOU are responsible for your mind. You may find this idea empowering or maybe it’s left you thinking, erm so what am I supposed to do with that?! Imagine your mind is a child in your care. In the same way you can distract a child from being sad, angry or upset by introducing another exciting toy or activity to it, you can do the same with your mind. Equally in the same way showing reassurance, kindness and care can calm a child, your mind works the same. What activities bring you joy and calm? Are you creative? Do you draw or paint? Play an instrument, dance or sing? Maybe music lifts your mood? Maybe you could compile an uplifting play list? Have your uplifting ‘go to’ activities at hand for those low mood days. The reassurance and kindness part can be tricky. Especially when you are relying on yourself to do it! Maybe this part is something you can delegate? Do you have a friend, or loved one you can call and speak to for the reassurance and kindness at those movement when you need it? If not maybe you could write a letter or reassurance and kindness to yourself to keep and read in those low mood moments. A letter reminding yourself of the resilient and wonderful being that you are and reminding you that you are doing amazingly well and that everything will be alright. Maybe a few well placed little notes, affirmations and reminders around your home as continuos reminders that everything will be ok, or maybe even a reminder to ‘Just breathe’. Don’t wait for the low moments to come, do these things in preparation for if or when these dips happen. If you feel really stuck, maybe you could get some inspiration in my free online weekly Restore & Relax Thursday sessions which include a breathing practice and visualisation/ meditation.

I hope you find those tips useful. Remember that you are not alone. There are so many ways to reach out to people if you are struggling. And there are so many free resources available to help and support you. At the end of the day, we are each responsible for our minds and bodies, they are in our hands to make or break. It’s up to you to decide how to use your energy…

Stay safe and take care of you…