The Winter Blues
I was going to write about having Covid, and healing from here but wanted to reach a broader audience, and it reminded me of this time of year, and that feeling of having the “Winter Blues”. I am recovering from Covid, while out of Quarantine, I am still not 100%, I am feeling low energy, fatigue, not myself and “off”—I have been here before, it feels like that place of either depression, procrastination, reactive mode and low energy (not physically feeling good). Many of us get to this place at some point during the year, and certainly the Winter Blues are real and they are lonely—while my blues right now feel more physical than emotional, when you are not well physically, it impacts us mentally, I am not feeling the joy, the excitement and the vigor necessary to Live HIPP—I am finding simple joys and small moments through acceptance (be patient Pam) and through gratitude (grateful for the small gifts, for they truly are the big gifts).
We can’t erase the winter blues, but what we can do is take small steps each day to help and eventually they do go away. For me, it is Covid recovery, and patience and time is what I need to embrace. Small steps every day, showing up, resting, focusing on the good, and being patient with myself during my recovery. Here are some steps in general if you are feeling Winter Blues (adjust according to your personal need and where you are at):
1. Move your body every day! For me, it is a simple walk with the dogs until I can do more.
2. Fresh Air every day (combine this with above, it is so important to get outside & in nature). Get that Sunshine (Vitamin D), it really does help!
3. Create a Routine and Daily Schedule—this is important, especially if you have not had rituals in place. This really helps, start out small and consistent and add things as you go.
4. Hydrate: this is a constant, but water is your friend, it really does help physically.
5. Nourish Yourself: Try to make smarter food choices. I am challenged by this right now, because I don’t have my tastebuds fully back and I crave comfort food. Be patient w/this.
6. Gratitude: this really works, I know I preach this. Write down 5 reasons big and/or small you are grateful each day.
7. Self Care: Self care is not a bubble bath & glass of wine (sorry ladies). While a bath is a great soothing experience and some self care, self care for you might be: doing nothing, journaling, exercise, reading positive words, boundaries, etc…. My point is sometimes we hide behind pampering as self care (which is the cherry on top) but the work is diving in and doing the mind/body/spirit work. BTW, ditch the wine girlfriend (in terms of thinking it helps), it actually is a depressant and can be toxic. I am not saying you should quit, what I am saying is lets stop glorifying it as self care, it is anything but self care for most women!!!!
8. Simplify: This is a big one for me right now because my head is spinning. When I think about getting back to my full self and getting back full swing, I need to work on me, I need to get my house organized, I need to rev up my business—I feel so overwhelmed by all of these things. Overwhelm keeps us stuck and for some paralyzed. Figure out what will help you and take small steps daily to improve these areas and go back to basics, that is how we keep it simple.
9. Mind Set Makeover: If we have the winter blues (or are recovering from anything), we more likely have to work on our mindset so that we don’t feel defeated. Negativity exists in all of our minds, it is human nature. When you find yourself going there (which you will throughout the day), acknowledge the thought and replace it with a positive one. In general, look for the good. This is a life changing shift and can really help in living your best (HIPP) life. Be the encourager and not the complainer, be that for yourself and others.
10. One Day at a Time: This mantra is everything and it is a reminder to not regret the past or worry about the future, just live in the day (I know, that is hard work for many). The “one day at a time” mindset and mantra allows us to take on each day the best we can, to forgive ourselves if it is not our best, and to look to the next day with hope and renewal. There is such wisdom in this and this has saved so many people during hard times. One day at a time can also mean “one step forward”, we just need to do that. Get out of bed every day, somedays are an effort (amiright) and other days before we know it, we bounce out of bed with intention and purpose, the fact remains that we have seasons and we need to honor these seasons. No one jumps out of bed every single day with excitement, if they tell you that, they are not sharing the truth and the whole picture. There are days you put two feet on the ground and you are winning, and other days you spring out of bed with excitement and energy and you are winning then too. Be mindful, be present, and let the simple joys fill your heart, for they are really the most important moments in time.
If this list overwhelms you than simplify it, choose 1 or 2 things to work on each day. Winter Blues are real for many (or perhaps you have hit hard times for some reason), don’t worry, you’ve got this and you are not alone. I am stepping forward with you, I have no doubt I will fall down (as I did with Covid), but one thing that I know for sure is that I always stand back up, and I am offering my hand to you to do the same.