Article by BR Kellie
Hands up if you like to hibernate during winter?
It’s so tempting, isn’t it, just to rug up in trackies and bed socks and old men cardigans and mooch about on the couch all day and all night until the seasons change and the sun starts to heat up and stay in the sky 'til past 6pm.
But alas, bills must be paid, children must be cared for, studies must be studied and things just need to get done. But where to find the motivation?
We went to BR Amelia – who is a weirdo winter lover - and grilled her for some tips and tricks on how we can feel motivated about doing anything (that isn’t sitting on the couch and watching tele) in winter.
Start the day off with a cold shower. Not the whole shower, but at the end, give yourself a quick squirt of the cold stuff, not only will it be great for your skin and your hair, but it gives you a thrill and gets you moving.
Do exercise. Don’t skive off; don’t promise yourself you’ll do it later. Whether it’s a brisk walk outside or an hour in the gym, get out there or in there and get those endorphins going, and imagine how fab you’ll look in your spring and summer clothing while everyone is racing to catch up.
Embrace it. There is no point in spending one quarter of your life miserable because it’s not your favourite time of year. Turn that attitude around and make it a time you love. As the leaves fall go and kick them in the air, find joy in your winter wardrobe and turn yourself into a fashion plate, hunt out ice puddles and crack them open with a stick or a high heel!
Food. Winter’s a great time to learn to cook. In winter you don’t feel like you’re slaving over a hot stove, you feel like you’re warming up next to a hot stove while creating delicious hearty hot stews, soul-warming soups and delectable self-saucing desserts ... um, you can see why you shouldn’t stop exercising during winter, right?
Be grateful. You’re seeing the world change around you, and that’s a magical thing! As summer settles to sleep, nature slows down and takes a breath, ready to spring into life again in a few months time. It’s beautiful, and we get to be part of it! Sure we can’t hibernate like some animals, (BR Kellie here - Wasps! Wasps hibernate!! And who wants to be a wasp!? Can you tell I dislike wasps?) but we can take moments to slow down and enjoy this quieter time of year. Long walks in a park, late nights talking with our nearest and dearest in front of a roaring fire – or heater. Long pot luck lunches with friends around your dining room table, laughing, talking, sharing, loving ….
Ahhhh BR Amelia. You are a breath of wintry fresh air. Do you find it easy to stay motivated during winter? Share your tips with the rest of us!
I'm learning to be more mindful. My tool for winter especially is to think "Can I change this situation?". If the answer is no, there is no point in worrying about it, for example if it's raining! And if I can change it then I do. I agree the exercise is key because it gives you that emotional lift and then you can treat yourself with warm winter delicacies after that!