The changing seasons are inevitable. Every few months you will need to adjust to cooler or warmer temperatures and shorter or longer days. Some welcome the change, while others fear it – especially winter. However, it is better to embrace the season than to brood over its cold and gray gloom.
If you don’t have a mindfulness practice, adopting one in the winter can change your mood and perspective. After all, mindful living makes every season more manageable.
These six tips will help you generate happiness, relaxation and better health this winter.
Appreciate what the season has to offer
When Meik Wiking’s “The Little Book of Hygge” came out in 2017, everyone quickly jumped on the trend. Wiking describes it as ‘consciously cozy’ – deliberately creating moments of bliss, warmth, intimacy and creativity. Is it possible that Denmark – the happiest country in the world – is on to something?
Winter offers things no other season can: the breathtaking aesthetic of snow, wearing comforting layers of clothing, warm drinks, and more peace and quiet in the early evening. Now think of ways you can purposefully create conviviality for yourself.
Maybe it’s a piping hot cup of cocoa, a knitted blanket or watching the snow fall from the comfort of your couch. It could also be a winter potluck with friends. Recognize what generates joy this season and do more of it.
Adopt environmental friendliness
Environmental friendliness can become part of your mindfulness practice and keep you healthy during the cold months. Conduct an energy audit of your home and look for ways to cut back.
For example, a programmable thermostat improves indoor comfort, plus you can see so much 10% energy saving. Other things you can do to improve energy efficiency and home life include replacing air filters, resealing windows to prevent drafts, and reversing the rotation of your ceiling fan to promote warm air circulation. improve.
Optimize lighting
Lighting is another way to improve energy efficiency at home, improve your mood and become more aware. The days are shorter in winter, which causes seasonal affective disorder in many people. Plus, one study shows how less sunlight increases cortisol productioncausing stress.
It is essential to let as much natural light into your home as possible during the day. To compensate, use bright, cool lamps to illuminate dark areas, and opt for neutral, warm lamps in the afternoon and evening.
Start a meditation regimen
Meditation is one of the most effective ways to practice mindfulness, promote sleep and promote better mental health. According to researchers eight weeks of daily 45-minute meditation and taking a weekly 2.5-hour mindfulness course can reduce anxiety by twenty percent.
You can try different meditation exercises to see what works best, including transcendental meditation, loving-kindness meditation, body scans, movement meditation, and visualizations. Visualizations can be effective if you want to immerse yourself in a warmer environment. For example, you can mentally transport yourself somewhere else to temporarily escape the cold.
Practice mindful eating
The winter months bring rich, creamy comfort foods and multi-course holiday dinners. At the beginning of the new year you want to feel lighter in your body. A study among female students from Japan even showed that 0.5% weight gain over Christmas and New Year by eating more and exercising less in winter.
Conscious eating can help you incorporate nutritious foods back into your diet. It’s crucial to eat smaller portions more slowly and pause to enjoy the textures. Here are other ways to eat more consciously in winter:
- Provide healthy snacks.
- Make shopping lists before you go to the store.
- Sit down to eat.
- Reduce distractions, such as phones or the television.
- Put down your fork every now and then.
- Recognize fullness.
Start a gratitude journal
When winter gets you down, it can be hard to remember everything you’re grateful for. Starting a gratitude journal forces you to reflect on your days and find at least one thing to express your appreciation.
Gratitude helps reduce depression and anxiety by encouraging new perspectives on life events. It also promotes a positive view of yourself with less criticism, and increases relationships and life satisfaction.
Practice mindfulness for a calmer winter season
Mindfulness is the key to relaxation and well-being. When winter gets you down and the season drags on, being more mindful can change your outlook. Improve your mental, physical and emotional health with mindfulness techniques.
Author biography
Oscar Collins is editor-in-chief of Modified, where he writes about health, fitness and more. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for regular updates on his work.
