On those dark, cold days a few ideas to brighten things
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
Surviving the winter season with a positive attitude can be difficult. When the days are grey and cold, it’s hard to gather the strength to get out of a warm bed in the morning. Battling the winter blues requires a bit of effort. Let’s hold that groundhog to his promise of an early Spring, but in the meantime, here are my thoughts for conquering the next few weeks:
- Exercise I know! Nothing like starting off the list with something hard core…but, the endorphin rush of elevating your heart rate is a guaranteed mood lifter. Don’t blame the messenger, this is a scientific fact. Not only is it a good idea for the obvious health benefits, but meeting up with friends at the gym can distract from the monotony of the daily routine. My girlfriend and I work out for about an hour and then go to Country Butcher to split a greek omelette and whine about the weather. It makes me feel 100% better.
Buy something cute Ummm, they don’t call it retail “therapy” for nothin. I’m not suggesting that you splurge on a Louis Vuitton, or anything; however, a new lip gloss or nail polish or tshirt can brighten the gloomiest of days. My husband hates this particular suggestion because when I say that I “just have to run into Target for a few household supplies” it usually results in a little pickmeup item thrown in for good measure. Whoopsie.- Light a candle The fact that the days are slowly (but surely) getting longer means that I am waiting until 6pm to put on my pajamas (instead of 4:30pm). So glam over here. I can’t help it! When it’s dark, I like to be cozy…that includes lighting multiple candles like we are Amish. The progression of the season is evident in the scent that I prefer. Right now, I have transitioned from a heavier, winter spice to a light, fruity fragrance because it NEEDS TO BE SPRINGTIME, ASAP.
- Plan a vacation Googling tropical destinations when the windchill hovers in the single digits is one of my favorite pastimes. Even if the dream vacation never materializes, the simple act of planning an escape is therapeutic. Pinterest is a great website for fantasizing and gathering inspiration.
What do YOU do to fight the winter blues? Please, leave your suggestions in the comment section below.
Happy Weekend!
Meditate. Learn how to meditate. Winter is the perfect time to learn.
Meditation:
Anxiety decreases
Emotional stability improves
Creativity increases
Happiness increases
Intuition develops
Gain clarity and peace of mind
Problems become smaller
Meditation sharpens the mind by increasing focus
Meditation makes you aware – that your inner attitude determines your happiness.
I’m a runner, but not in the winter anymore. I go to the Y every morning for an hour too. My friend is my IPhone with meditation exercises and I plug my earphones in and I climb on the bike, close my eyes, hit play and my brainwave patterns become relaxed as I practice no mind, while moving my body. I don’t have time in my day for an hour for the mind and an hour for the body so I combined the two exercises. The results are unbelievable. Try it.
I thinking I’m alot older than you and I used to do alot of shopping, and I LOVED it, and I know this is about shopping, but it just doesn’t interest me as much anymore, but since it used to, I have alot of tips.
Have you ever visited the Premium Outlet Mall in Limerick. It’s a haul for you, but believe me, well worth it. Kelly, the Neiman Marcus outlet is to die for, and I have bought $500.00 bags in Kate Spade and Coach for less than $100.00, and the Brooks Brothers store? O.M.G. My husband is 6’3, my son is 6’2 and they’re both big. 230lbs and 200lbs. If this store ever closes, they will walk around nude because they won’t have any clothes to wear. High quality clothing, great prices, washes great, clothes don’t shrink 2 sizes and they both love the clothes.
So, although I love shopping, when I muster up the gumption to go, (my poor 15 year old daughter, she gets the short stick) meditation gets most of my time now, but GO TO LIMERICK, you’ll love it, (and take my daughter, I have a feeling you two would hit it off great!