Hi There,
Now I know this sounds so dramatic, as we are lucky not to have snow in winter in South Africa, but this winter has been colder than normal. I struggle to wake up and drag myself out of bed. It is not easy to keep the energy and optimism up like in the bright and warm summer days.
When it’s cold outside, it is very easy to go into hibernation mode – eat junk food, wear pyjamas all day and watch copious amounts of series. Of course, staying warm under a blanket in bed is amazing, but you can’t keep doing it all winter long! You should feel good in winter and stay motivated to be healthy and strong. It can even leave you feeling down and lonely. Don’t let this winter season get the best of you. Here are some suggestions to keep yourself motivated this winter.
One thing I can admit is that I have let the cold weather mess with my fitness routine. I only have myself to blame, but I am making time for it and I will let you know how it goes here on my blog.
Here are are 5 things I do to deal with being over winter:
- Dress for the weather
I love dressing in winter wear, scarves, boots, jerseys, all of it, its even an excuse to get a new coat or a new pair of leather gloves! A new season comes with a new opportunity to streamline your wardrobe and show your personality through your clothing. You need to be warm when you get dressed in winter, then make sure when you do have to leave the comfort of your home, at least you will look and feel great!
- Keep healthy
Winter is sick season and nothing gets you down like a cold. There are easy ways to fight off sickness like staying hydrated and warm. In order to stay motivated, you’ll want to stay healthy this winter. One way to do this is to not let your fitness routine slip….sigh! Regular exercise is not only a good way to stay in shape, but it keeps your immune system strong. With a health lifestyle also comes healthy eating, something I am also struggling with as all I want to eat is warm food and starch! But I try to eat starch during the day and maintain healthier choices at night.
- Get a hobby
You will be spending a lot of time indoors. Use your free time to start a new hobby. Find a creative outlet like creating a bullet journal or embroidery. There are all sorts of books and YouTube tutorials to help you get started. A new hobby is the perfect way to keep you motivated and get your creative juices flowing. I am trying to learn a new language and reading and gym is something I am struggling with so I will consider these new hobbies again.
- Plan a getaway
Plan a getaway with a friend or your partner, who needs an excuse to explore their own country!Find a place that is warmer like Durban and apparently even Cape Town is being cheeky this year. Also places like Kruger Park etc. A weekend or a week-long trip is all you need to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. It won’t be fun coming back to cold temperatures, but the wait for spring will be a little bit more bearable. I might be heading off for the weekend to an off-road race – its an hour away and we have booked accommodation! Laughter and drinks with friends is all I need…with a view of course.
- “Spring Clean” during the winter.
Take advantage of the fact that you prefer to be inside. Go through your hard copy files and computer files and throw out or delete anything that is no longer useful to you. Also go through clothing, shoes and make-up that you do not use anymore. You will be less overwhelmed and will feel less stressed out if you do. Clutter is something I have become obsessed with this year. I am always de-cluttering areas that I feel give me anxiety. Try it, its such a good feeling.
