Winter has well and truly settled in Melbourne, and thanks to housing insulation being non-existent, it can be difficult to escape the cold. Add a dash of ‘second COVID lockdown’ to that and you’ve got yourself a recipe for lethargy and winter blues.
You may feel anxious or agitated and you possibly hit the snooze button more than once in the morning. I get it. Your bed is safe, warm and cosy and postponing the thoughts of the 80th Zoom meeting this month is tempting.
The winter blues, a.k.a. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD - for a reason) affects millions of people around the world. You are not alone. Besides lethargic and anxious, you may feel:
Depressed
Stressed
Unsociable
You may also have some issues with:
Sleeping
Overeating
Feeling unmotivated to exercise
So how do we beat these winter blues?
1 - Staying Active
I’m a lover of the snooze button. I get you. I much rather stick my head under the covers than stepping into the cold space that’s called a Melbourne bedroom. However, I also know that I feel 110% better if I move my body in the morning. Whether it’s a 30 minute walk, livestream yoga class or a quick pick-me-up movement video, your body (and your mind) will thank you for it. Lay out your clothes the night before, set your heater on a timer and place your alarm clock at least 2 meters away from the bed (it works!). Embrace the new day. Trust me. You will feel better.
2 - Sunlight and fresh air
Sunlight may not always be present in Melbourne winter. But what little rays there are, your body will benefit from being outside. The natural light will still boost your Vitamin D levels, keeping your bones and muscles healthy. At the same time, the fresh air will clean your lungs, improve your digestive and immune system and generally make you happier. Thirty minutes in your lunchtime will do the trick. Your boss will not pat you on the back if you work through your lunchtime so choose you.
3 - Nourish your body & mind
It’s easy to indulge in comfort foods (hello fish and chips, Sunday roast and Pacino’s Italian pizza!). I’m all about moderation over deprivation and there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a lovely glass of red and your favourite meal.
Having said that, eating healthy and clean is SUPER important for your physical and mental health. As my friend Matt Vaughan mentioned, 70% of our immunity comes from our gut health. That means there is a direct link between eating healthy and our mental state. Eating seasonal and fresh produce, lots of leafy greens, root vegetables and warming soup will do wonders for your gut, and in turn for your body and mental health.
4 - Surround yourself with amazing people
Now more than ever do we need the support of our crew. Whether that’s your family or your chosen family, a support group or a neighbour, find the folks that make you feel good. Surround yourself with people that support you no matter what. And yes, that may involve a Zoom or Skype meeting here or there.
Humans thrive being part of a community, so find the one that makes you feel comfortable and safe. It’s perfectly OK to stay away from people that drain your energy with. Listen to your gut.
5 - Replace screen time with a hobby
It’s hard to stay away from digital devices these days. Whether you’re in lockdown mode or not, whether you are working from home or not, screens are everywhere and we use them every day.
I am thankful they exist as it allows me to reach my yogis from the comfort of my home. And that’s what makes technology great. It can make our lives a lot easier. However, if you find yourself getting lost in the Instagram maze and Pinterest labyrinth, you may need to check in with yourself and see whether it’s actually serving you.
Screen time is linked to weight gain, sleeping disorders, mental health issues and physical injuries (text neck, wrist pain, eye strain, bad posture and lots of other nasties). Limiting your screen time is good. Trust.
